Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/460/1671
From The Socialist newspaper, 26 October 2006
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."
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In The Socialist 26 October 2006:
Unite and fight to save the NHS
The battle to defend the health service
How can we build an effective campaign to defend the NHS?
A socialist programme for the NHS
Protests force partial retreat from cuts
Marching for the NHS in Torquay
"Action to defend our birthright"
Sack the bosses not the nurses
Socialist Students
No to attacks on democratic rights
Chilean students fight Pinochet's legacy
Socialism 2006
Workplace analysis
How can the trade unions regain their strength?
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
'Single status' battle continues
How to build a trade union in your workplace
Furious parents turn on councillors
War and terrorism
Bloody chaos in Iraq shatters US war strategy
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