Workers in London set to strike again

Local government workers are set to strike again this week in
selective London boroughs to call for a flat rate London weighting
of £4,000,writes Clare Jerrom.
 
Pay talks over the issue broke down when the employers’ side
withdrew the “small” offer of £201 that they made
in April, according to public sector union Unison.

The move follows the publication of the Local Government Pay
Commission report two weeks ago, which recommended a unified rate
of London weighting across the capital to acknowledge the problems
faced by staff trying to live and work in London.

“The trade unions are very angry at the stance the
employers have taken,” said David Eggmore, chairperson of
Unison’s London local government committee.

“The pay commission has recognised that London weighting
is a lottery throughout the public services, and have accepted
Unison’s argument that cost compensation is necessary for
London workers.”

Current London weighting is between £1,500 and £2,850.
This compares to £4,300 for the London Fire Brigade, and there
are proposals for National Health Service staff to receive a London
weighting between £3,000 and £5,000.

Industrial action will take place in the London boroughs of
Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Haringey,
Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Newham, Tower Hamlets,
Wandsworth and Westminster.