A UNION branch plans to ballot members for industrial action over their empoyers plans to sack stall in order to re-engage them all on now nor cos an con including reductions in maternity and sick pay, an increase in the working week for white-collar staff, cuts in various allowances and over time premium payments.
The employer has made it clear in all negotiations that this mass sacking is its intention if it doesn't get its Wanion negotiators feel they are being asked to accept contracts that break national conditions with a gun pointed at their heads. The employer argues that they have to make cuts to deal with a financial crisis.
Welcome to the Labour-controlled London Borough of Haringey in north London. The financial crisis is the result or years of mismanage ment, including a debt of over 670 number of expensive deferred purchase agreement Worse off Almost all workers will be worse off, with either reduced pay or increased working hours, as well as other significant reductions in conditions of service.
ine planned cuts will 33o nave an impact on people who live in Haringey through reduced local services. Many staff will look for jobs and some will be difficult to replace. Morale will plummet.
And of course, many staff live locally and will lose out twice, suffering worse pay and conditions and worse services.
It will be disabled workers. women, low-paid and part-time workers (and people who fall into more than one category) who lose out most. Union members are ourraged by the attack on equal opportunities involved.
The union fears that further attacks are planned. There is no guarantee that the counci will not be back demanding further cuts next year.
Privatisation, with its damaging impact on jobs, conditions and services, Is also on the agenda - with services like home care particularly. vulnerable.
Some proposals, such as moving he pay date from the middle to the arrears rather than advance or carried out by other councils. than national conditions, and undercut Single Status agreements, which included a maximum 36 hour week in London.
Any harmonisation taking place is at the expense of workers. The counal nas ignoreo the thanks implications of the Single Status in comers it sumed unti it put forward these proposals for cuts. impose new contracts has been copied from neighbouring Camden, who did it 3 years ago, as a precur.
UNISON is working closely with other Council unions including GMB, TGWU and UCATT, to campaign against Haringey's plans. The unions plan to consult their members and to campaign among Borough residents and local Labour Party members.
Haringey has the support of other UNISON branches, UNISON London Region, and the national union.
If Haringey Council pushes through the plans, the dangers are cicar today, Haringey - tomorrow....?
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK •