Swindon members step up strike action

UNISON members in in Swindon have escalated their eight week industrial action against the council's axing of extra pay for unsocial hours with a loss of up to £300 a month for some staff. They will now strike on Fridays as well as weekends to try to force a settlement.

The council had refused to negotiate, so members have been striking each weekend, affecting car parks, leisure centres and country parks.

UNISON branch secretary Bob Cretchley told the Swindon Advertiser the union was preparing to ballot staff from other council departments.

“We have already given notice that we are balloting further groups in the libraries and museums departments and we could be escalating the action,” he said.

“But we did have a meeting with the council on Thursday and they indicated they were looking to try and find a way to resolve this.”

The branch is appealing for more support for the hardship fund in order to maintain action. http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_view.asp?did=6394