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Coventry council:

'Single status' battle continues

WORKERS AT Coventry city council have entered their fifth week of strike action over the implementation of the 'single status' job evaluation and regrading deal.

A UNISON steward

From 24 November, exchequer services will walk out for two weeks. This follows on from UNISON members in street cleansing who had been out for the previous fortnight.

Workers in exchequer services, who deal with cash payments for council tax and parking fines for example, are not losers from single status but are walking out in solidarity with their fellow workers, some of whom are losing thousands of pounds.

As single status begins to bite around the country, Coventry UNISON are looking at building a large campaign to fight for government money to fund equal pay.

Message of support

The Socialist Party group on the council has written a message of support to the strikers and have been present on the picket lines: "We are writing to you to express our utmost solidarity and support for you in your dispute against Single Status.

"The Socialist Party, and the Socialist group of councillors on Coventry city council, have opposed the imposition of this 'deal' from the outset, both inside and outside of the council chamber. We have also opposed it when imposition was threatened under the previous New Labour administration and under this Tory one. It is simply not acceptable that workers should be losing out.

"We oppose all attacks on pay, conditions and the ongoing threat of privatisation throughout the public sector, whether through Tory or New Labour local/national government. In addition to this we were present on all picket lines in the dispute in 2005 and have and will be present on them on this occasion.

"As an expression of our solidarity, please find enclosed a donation of £100 from our councillors' allowances, for your strike fund. as always, please contact us if you require our assistance in any other way."

Thousands of pounds have been collected from the general public, union members and other trade union branches. Further donations are required to keep the action going to show the employer that we are in this for the long haul - visit www.coventryunison.co.uk to make donations and send messages of support."