Unison to take further action against council over cuts

Unison has confirmed it will take further industrial action against Cheshire West and Chester Council in protest at cuts to overtime pay and car allowances for staff including social care workers.

Cheshire West and Chester has to save more than £38m over the next four years; the council says the changes to staff terms and conditions, which were brought in on 1 April, will protect frontline jobs and save around £3.9 million per year.

The changes includes cuts to overtime payments and the removal of a lump sum of £1,200 for essential car users.

Unison reacted angrily to the new terms and conditions and called a strike over the East bank holiday. The union decided yesterday to take further action after the council allegedly refused to negotiate on alternative proposals for making savings.

However, the council has accused Unison of bringing forward its proposals only after 97% of staff had agreed to the new contracts. 

Maria Moss, regional organiser for Unison, said: “Industrial action is a last resort for any Unison member and something we want to avoid if the council are prepared to take a serous step towards resolving this dispute as soon as possible.”

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