UNISON members working in Local Government and Schools have voted to reject the 1% pay offer and take industrial action on 10th July. It is very likely that our sister unions including UNITE, GMB, NUT, PCS and FBU will also be taking action on the same day. For 4 years local government workers have borne more than their fair share of the cuts, through massive job losses, the 3 year pay freeze, followed by last year’s below inflation 1% pay increase – effectively a pay cut. It is now time to stand up against this unfair treatment. Strike action is always a last resort, but it has also been successful in the past, particularly during the pensions dispute. More recently UNISON members in Universities have taken industrial action and as a result the employers have agreed to pay the living wage, along with a 2% pay rise for everyone else.
For those of you who are worried about the financial impact of losing a day’s pay by going on strike, the branch has a hardship fund which all members can apply to. You can download an application form from the branch website: http://www.northsomersetunison.co.uk/ or you can phone 01934 634759 or email unison@n-somerset.gov.uk to request one.
We will also need members to stand on picket lines on the 10th July. We will need to cover the Town Hall (2 entrances), Castlewood and any other workplaces where we can get a few members to form a picket line. Please contact the branch office to let us know where and when you can join a picket line.
We will also be having a picnic on the grass outside the Old Town Hall from 12.30 to 1.30 pm on 10th July – the branch will provide sandwiches and refreshments - all you need to do is bring a deckchair, and because many schools are likely to be closed please bring your kids as well.
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