Council workers in pay protest

Demo by Unison at Oldham Council Chamber regarding proposed cuts.

TRADE union members have called on Oldham Council to halt a “damaging attack” on staff pay and conditions, as it seeks to make government-required cuts of £23 million next year.

Workers held a demonstration at the civic centre last night before the council’s Cabinet meeting was due to consider whether to cut staff pay and conditions.

The proposals include a freeze on pay increments, changes to the sick-pay scheme and cuts to the car user scheme, saving £1.5 million of the £11 million first-phase figure. Staff have already been required to take unpaid leave due to the council’s financial difficulties.

Workers chanted “Shame on you” and “you take the cuts” at executive councillors inside the civic centre. The council staff were members of unions including Unison, Unite and the GMB.

They blew whistles and horns, and waved placards and flags as councillors gathered inside to consider cuts next year.

The meeting was delayed by 30 minutes to allow for talks with union representatives resulting in an amended proposal put to the Cabinet.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “It would have been cowardly and wrong not to speak with the protesters. We took the initiative to speak to them about their concerns.

“An amendment has been agreed recommending that the Cabinet will consider any other proposals on the issue at its December meeting.”

Unison said the affected staff provide vital services for Oldham, from supporting children and families to working in parks and gardens, providing advice and guidance, or handling waste disposal and street cleansing.

Julie Finnegan, Unison’s Oldham branch secretary, said: “It’s already hard for people to make ends meet. We have had three years of pay freezes while the cost of living has risen dramatically. The proposed cuts will cause real difficulty for working people in Oldham.”
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