Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/395/4492
From The Socialist newspaper, 2 June 2005
Coventry single status dispute
The stakes are raised
COVENTRY COUNCIL workers are fighting a pay-cutting deal being imposed under a 'Single Status' agreement. Thousands of workers, UNISON and TGWU members, were on strike on 19 May and on 24 and 25 May.
Dave Nellist, Socialist Party councillor
GMB/Apex voted against strike action, but in support of action short of strike. A work-to-rule involving all three unions is therefore continuing on non-strike days.
Approximately 1,600 workers (according to the council's figures) are 'losers' - some up to £8,000 a year. A large number of workers such as refuse collectors and gravediggers on, say, £16,000 to £19,000, face cuts in pay of £3,000 or more.
Many more of those said to be neutral or 'gainers' are unhappy with restrictions on pay increments under the new system, or have lost shift and premium payments.
Coventry is apparently the first city to strike over Single Status. But there must be a nationally co-ordinated response as the pay cuts in Coventry could be repeated elsewhere unless a national fight-back is developed. Coventry UNISON branch are understood to be calling for an urgent special national conference of local authority unions to begin this.
l Please send messages of support to UNISON and TGWU: Coventry UNISON, Room 11, The Koco Building, The Arches, Spon End, Coventry CV1 3JQ. Telephone: 024 7667 9475, or email: office@unisoncoventry.co.uk . Further background at www.coventryunison.co.uk .
TGWU office, Broadgate House, Broadgate, Coventry CV1 1NH. Telephone: 024 7683 3235. TGWU-coventry@coventry.gov.uk
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In The Socialist 2 June 2005:
Say no to the bosses' profit system
Why French workers voted 'no' to EU referendum
ID cards: £300 for a snooper's card!
The campaign for Socialism 2005 begins now
Capitalism can't solve AIDS crisis
"Struggle or death" - Pakistan telecoms workers fight privatisation
Germany: Political turmoil after the elections
Iraq: coalition plans floundering
Labour court awards Gama workers €8,000
Striking back at pay-cutting bosses
It is privatisation and it is as we know it
Coventry single status dispute: the stakes are raised
FE lecturers fight for pay deal
Job losses expose Manchester's 'boom'
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