Plan Wilkinson SLINGTON COUNCIL in North London is set to force through a cuts package of £16 million, stating that it expects its government grant to be cut by about ćl l million. It also intends not to set a high Council Tax just before the expected general election.
Blair's home Council which once saw itself as a flagship for the decentralisation of services now intends to recentralise many of them. It is voluntarily privatising many services, the biggest being Housing Benefits. It also intends to form partnerships with the private sector.
Islington is the latest on a growing list of Labour Councils attempting to impose draconian cuts in service conditions on staff.
Staff are threatened with a reduction in sick pay. Women face cuts in maternity leave from 27 weeks to 16 and attacks on special leave for childcare.
Islington has always prided itself on its equal opportunities polall e C manil who ave coste to Councillors now suggest that all the women who have come to work for Islington are just too expensive!
All staff are about to be given three months notice of dismissal and re-engagement on new, worse terms and conditions.
All branch members are to balloted on strike action against the attacks on conditions. A work-torule and ban on overtime are already in place.
The union is bulding for a lobby of the full Council meting on October 3l, starting at 6pm outside the town hall in Upper Street.
Socialist Outlook 109 • 7 October1996.
October 19 Embankment 12-1 pm. Coach set down at Waterloo Bridge. Rally in Hyde Park 3pm. Coach pick-up at Park Lane DEMONSTRATE