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Tue 5 September 2006 UNISON slams Edinburgh Council for 'bully boy' conditions cuts and sack threatUNISON, the public service union representing City of Edinburgh Council staff, is furious at council threats to use sackings to force through cuts in the conditions of thousands of workers. "Out of the blue, the council faxed the plans to UNISON after closing hours last Friday with a threat that, if there was no agreement, staff would be sacked and faced with new contract offers to force the plans though. Our members are furious", said George Lee, UNISON Edinburgh Branch Secretary. "We are angry because we had been in long but constructive talks on an equal pay-proof job evaluation scheme. Just when we thought major progress was being made, the officials came up with this document". The document threatens cuts in overtime rates, unsocial hours rates, pay cuts to low paid residential staff through converting public holidays to annual leave and the wholesale abolition of bonus payments. The document makes it clear that if agreement cannot be reached, the council will sack staff then re-engage them to get round contract problems. "We know that a fair evaluation scheme for all jobs will have some winners and losers and we were committed to working with the council to ensure fairness all round", added George Lee. "But how are we expected to negotiate and come to agreement, when at this stage they are already threatening to sack people and re-engage them to force cuts in conditions?" UNISON has written to the Chief Executive urging him to intervene to avoid talks stalling. It is also writing to politicians to ensure they know what is being done in their name. "It is time for the council to return to proper negotiations and take these 'bully boy' threats off the table", added George Lee.
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