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From The Socialist newspaper, 14 August 2013
Swansea council pay attacks angers workers
Swansea's Labour-run council has angered workers represented by the Unison union after it decided to press ahead with imposed pay cuts.
Dismissing workers' objections, deputy council leader, Christine Richards, said: "We've now reached the point where further negotiations will not result in agreement".
The council changes are being proposed under the cover of job evaluation - making cuts in the name of 'equality'.
Over 2,000 council workers stand to lose summer retainers; amongst the worst affected are nursery nurses who stand to lose weeks of pay.
Some manual workers, such as those in refuse, have previously estimated that they could lose £4,000 or more in shift allowances, unsocial hours and bonuses.
Unison hopes to mitigate these cuts through further negotiations but it is only determined action in defence of terms and conditions that can force the council to back down.
The branch previously encouraged members to go out and campaign to elect Labour councillors. Members were told that replacing a Liberal Democrat-led coalition with a Labour one would mean the council working with the union.
As well as organising for action and linking with service users to defend services, Unison needs to fight these attacks, politically.
It should support anti-cuts candidates in future council elections and warn that any Labour councillor voting for these attacks on our members will be challenged.
A Unison member
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
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In The Socialist 14 August 2013:
Socialist Party campaigns
Zero tolerance for zero-hours!
Socialist Party editorial
Socialist Party news and analysis
Met finally apologise for G20 death
London Olympics legacy - one year on
Football and big business: time to reclaim the game
Socialist Party events
Come to the Socialist Party Summer Camp
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Hunt attacks NHS staff and patients
Protest at the Tory Conference in Manchester
International socialist news and analysis
Tunisia: Mobilise to bring down the government
South Africa: Limpopo WASP launch
Seattle: Socialist challenge to corporate Democrats
Socialist Party workplace news
Defend the Four: Tribunal compensation award to Unison activists
Postal workers ballot for action
Swansea council pay attacks angers workers
Anti-Bedroom Tax
Winning a reprieve from the bedroom tax
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Socialist Party comments and reviews
Reflections and sycophancy: Kinnock versus the socialist Liverpool council
The Mill: A change from the usual TV
Successes, failures and stalemates: A week in the life of a trade union rep
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