Glasgow Greens Stand Up

While 'anonymous sources' inside Glasgow City Council attack the workforce for going on strike the Green Party has at least done the right thing by supporting a conference motion which says:

"Conference supports these workers, believes that comments from the leadership of Glasgow City Council have been deeply unhelpful in placing blame on the unions and questioning the motives of the workforce, and urges Glasgow City Council to return immediately to the negotiating table, without preconditions, to urgently resolve this longstanding injustice."

Now I've been involved in industrial disputes for a very long time, but this is the first one where the employer has refused to talk to the unions while a strike is underway.

In years gone by, there would have been late night meeting, perhaps involving the conciliation service (ACAS) meetings across the weekend and/or into the early hours - in order to avert a strike and bring about a solution. 

But in Glasgow Council bosses have dug their heels in, pulled up the drawbridge and refused to talk to the unions until the GMB and Unison call off their industrial action. 

Which is a scandal if you ask me, but well done to the Greens for standing up and being counted!