Southampton strikes continue

Millions of pounds could be wasted if Southampton City Council bosses continue to dodge talks with striking workers, Unison’s deputy general, Keith Sonnet, will say in his speech to hundreds of staff today.

According to the union, the Conservative-controlled council is refusing to enter into talks over a 4.5 per cent pay cut and is proposing a three-year-pay freeze and loss of annual pay progression. The council has said the only alternative is further job losses.

Members of Unite and Unison took action after claiming that thousands of workers face being sacked and re-engaged on substantially lower terms and conditions.

In the first extended strike since the cuts set in, 20 toll collectors and supervisors, who work on the Itchen Bridge, start striking from 7 June for a week. They join 40 parking officers, who started striking a week before, and other council staff, who have been working to rule.

The council loses out on more than £100,000 in revenue in one week alone due to parking staff strikes. As parking officers are striking for 14 days and the toll collectors join them, the council could lose out on as much as £250,000 in just two weeks. This will continue every week until the council agrees to talks.

Refuse workers were the first group of workers to strike, which has left rubbish building up around the city. Further action by the street cleaners will be announced shortly.

In a speech to workers today, Keith Sonnet, Unison deputy general secretary, will say:

“Southampton Council bosses must start listening to staff, or see millions in revenue wasted as the strike continues.

“It is bad enough they cut hundreds of jobs, they are now attacking pay and conditions and see no urgency to discuss it. It is insulting to these workers, who go above and beyond to provide vital services to the city. Workers are going to find it tough to deliver decent public services to the people of Southampton.

“Our members are fearful for their futures and how they will feed and house their families.

“We will continue to take action until the council agrees to stop dodging talks and start treating these workers family.”