Strike action spreads in Southampton - Social work staff to strike

Update from Mike Tucker UNISON NEC and Southampton Branch Secretary

1.  Industrial Action
On Wednesday 3 August, up to 450 social work staff in both Children's Services and Adult Services will strike for one day as part of the ongoing dispute over pay cuts.  While cutting the pay of social care staff by 5%, the City Council responded to the threat of mass resignations of Child Protection Social Workers by making a "market supplement" payment to them of £1400 a year.  For newly qualified Social Workers, this payment was equivalent to the 5% pay cut, for more experienced workers, it is less than they are having taken from their pay.  This £1400 payment has caused widespread anger among all social care staff.  It is not being paid to all Social Workers in Children's Social Services and is not being paid at all in Adult Services.  Two mass meetings of social care staff were held in July and both voted to strike.
 
In addition to the one day strike, groups of social work staff are to start a period of extended strike action from 4 August.  Details of the work groups who will strike will be issued tomorrow.
 
There will be widespread picket lines across Southampton on 3 August, and a rally at 11.00 a.m. in Guildhall Square.  The social work staff will meet at 12 noon on 3 August to decide what further strikes to call.  Messages of support for 3 August would be appreciated.
 
Strike action across the City is continuing.  This week there are strikes in Street Cleansing, Parking Operations, Vehicle Workshops and the Itchen Bridge.  Further strikes will be announced on Monday 1 August.  Despite the imposition of the pay cuts on 11 July, the industrial action continues.
 
2.  Legal Action Against the Council
The collective Employment Tribunal against the Council, taken out by UNISON and Unite for failure to consult on the dismissals, is not expected to be heard until 2012.  This is because the Council have claimed that the hearing will take between 5 and 6 weeks.  The union has started drawing up individual unfair dismissal claims.  Adverts have been placed in the local paper and all members have been mailed with a case form to start the tribunal process.  Briefing sessions were held yesterday with Thompsons Solicitors in attendance to explain the legal process.  Over 100 UNISON / Unite members attended these briefings.
 
3.  Talks with the Council continue but!
Talks between the Council and UNISON / Unite are continuing.  Phil Wood, the Regional Secretary has been present at the latest meetings.  The Council has still not revised their proposals and the prospect of resolving the dispute remains remote.
 
4.  We need financial help
With the industrial action already taking place, and the action planned, the Branch will have spent £150,000.  We have received promises of financial assistance from both the Region and from National level and have this week received an emergency cash transfer from UNISON to help the Branch to continue to function.
 
We have also received donations fro many branches across the Region and the country.  I understand that the National union is to send out an appeal letter to all Branches shortly.  Our Branch remains in the frontline of the fight against pay cuts and reductions.  Today we have received a message of support and donation from the Shetland Islands UNISON Branch.  Please send us further donations if you are able.  Our members wish to continue to fight wage cuts, with your help we can ensure that we have the financial resources to continue.
 
Cheques should be made payable to UNISON Southampton District Branch and sent to UNISON Southampton District Branch, UNISON Office, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7NB.
 
For updates on the dispute, see our Branch web site at www.soton-unison-office.org.uk or the Branch Facebook site at www.facebook.com – Southampton District UNISON.
 
Best wishes
 
Mike Tucker
UNISON National Executive Council Member /
Branch Secretary
UNISON Southampton District Branch

e-mail: branchsecretary[at]soton-unison-office.org.uk or mike.tucker[at]southampton.gov.uk
Blackberry e-mail:  m.tucker[at]unison.co.uk
 
For an update on the industrial action go to the Branch web site www.soton-unison-office.org.uk
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