More strikes over London allowance

Unions are planning further action next week in their bid to secure
a flat-rate London weighting allowance.

Members of Unison, GMB and TGWU are to stage a one-day strike in
London on 1 October. They want all council workers in London to
receive £4,000 in place of the current levels which vary
between £1,400 and £2,600.

As many as 100,000 local government workers could strike across
London, and all council services are likely to be affected. A
skeleton staff will man emergency social care services.

Chairperson of the Employers’ Side of the Greater London Provincial
Council, Ann John, described the news as disappointing. “London
councils are committed to meeting the offer on national pay but
simply can’t afford any more,” she said.

Meanwhile, Leeds Unison members have suspended industrial action
while they hold talks with the council over a pay offer for basic
grade social workers.

Social workers held a one-day strike last month in support of a
re-grading claim, and since then had been working to rule.