Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/665/11717
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 April 2011
Pay cuts provoke strike
A Unison member
Unison members employed as housing support workers at Leeds Federated are taking industrial action in a dispute over pay and grading.
Last year, Leeds Fed told us that they wanted to restructure the service we provide. Instead of us continuing in our roles - salary £23,000 - they said they wanted to split the role in two.
They proposed that the 'senior' role - the one which they thought contained the more difficult aspects of our job - was to be regraded, with a £3,000 pay cut!
Worse still, those who were charged with doing the 'less demanding' tasks were looking at a pay cut of £8,000! Yet this role involves carrying out the bulk of face-to-face work with service users.
There are also strong signs that Leeds Fed bosses eventually want all housing workers to be on the lower rate of pay.
We have told management of our suspicions. They have said that they had considered paying us all at the low rate but decided to take it "one step at a time"!
A striking member told me that there has been subtle bullying to try and put members off from exercising their right to strike.
If they get away with this, it is likely that they will try a similar stunt with other Leeds Fed workers.
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In The Socialist 6 April 2011:
Anti-cuts campaign
Bosses prepare for war on public sector workers
Labour Link won't save jobs and services
Housing benefit cuts start to bite
Bristol meeting - The battle of our lives has begun
On the move in London to fight the cuts
Fight the cuts with TUSC: more than just a 'protest vote'
Austerity measures take away the basics
Labour 'campaigning' - casework style
Socialist history
International socialist news and analysis
Ireland's economy on the brink
Jordan: 'Reforms' fail to halt growing opposition
Socialist Party workplace news
Saltend lock-out - Solidarity strike spreads
Call for strikes to stop Ford attack on pensions
Birmingham prison officers determined to fight privatisation
Prison officers fight prison privatisation: Interview with POA assistant secretary, Joe Simpson
Teachers and council workers strike together in Tower Hamlets
Leeds Unison - fighting the cuts
Socialist Party youth and students
School students stage anti-cuts strike in Dundee
Leicester: still angry with Clegg
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