MID Cheshire’s council workers have taken the first step in a ‘long fight’ against changes to their terms and conditions of employment with a three-hour strike and protest.

Members of UNISON, GMB and UNITE voted to take strike action and action short of striking in their dispute with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), beginning with a strike today, Tuesday.

The industrial action will coincide with a demonstration outside CWAC’s headquarters, in Chester, at 3.30pm and will be followed up by a programme of selective strikes at weekends, staff refusing to use their own cars for work, an overtime ban, staff refusing to do stand-by duty and respond to out-of-hours call outs.

Ray McHale, UNISON branch officer, said members were forced to take strike action because of the ‘unacceptable and arrogant actions’ of the council and added that new contracts issued to employees would take £4million out of workers’ pockets.

“The council is cutting the nationally agreed car allowance by £1,500 per year from 1,000 staff who are required to provide and use their own cars for their jobs,” he said.

“It is cutting the pay of staff who work 24 hours seven days a week, 365 days per year, by between 10 and 15 per cent.

“This is not justified by the council’s financial position and is just unacceptable.”

He added: “The council seem determined to have a fight with their staff.

“It seems to think that will make it popular with the public.

“However, you can’t have a demoralised workforce and still deliver good services to the public.

“The unions are preparing for a long fight.”

Paul Matthews, GMB senior steward, said low-paid, front line staff were bearing the brunt of the cuts, which have included the removal of pay enhancements for weekend staff and cutting the rate for night work.

Ian Williams, UNITE shop steward, added: “We have agreed harmonisation of all key terms and conditions for staff from the four councils that formed CWAC.

“Within that process we have offered significant savings to the council, amounting to around £1.5million but it is not enough for this council, so we have no choice but to fight.”

A spokesperson for CWAC said it had been informed of the unions’ plans to strike.

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