Labour council use Tory anti-union laws – Support the right to strike at Glasgow Life
On Wednesday 16 July, Glasgow Life began legal moves to take UNISON to court under the UK’s anti-trade union laws to halt official strike action planned for 21 July.
The fact that Glasgow Life, a Glasgow City Council run company, has used anti-trade union laws introduced by the Tories is despicable. Glasgow Life should be spending more time trying to resolve the dispute rather than attempting to undermine the democratic votes of trade union members.
UNISON will not allow such actions to go unchallenged. Our members deserve fair treatment during the Commonwealth Games.
The UNISON Glasgow Branch has requested advice from the UNISON UK National Executive Council on the next steps in the dispute.
In the meantime there will be trade union protests:
-
Outside the Commonwealth Games Offices tomorrow (Friday) at 12.15 24 Albion Street.
-
Kelvingrove Museum on Wednesday 23 July at 12:30 pm
-
Outside Glasgow City Chambers on Thursday 24 July at 12:30 pm.
Background
Trade Union members in Glasgow’s Sports Centres and Museums are in dispute with their employer Glasgow Life, a company run by Glasgow City Council. The dispute is over payments for working during the Commonwealth Games.
Workers in Glasgow City Council, other council run companies and the city’s transport companies will be paid enhanced rates and / or specific payments for working more hours during the Games. However, workers in the city’s Sports Centres and Museums will receive only their basic pay rate for any additional hours they work. Many workers have also had shift changes forced on them without their agreement.
Glasgow’s Sports Centre and Museum workers are being treated as “second class workers” compared to other public services workers in the city.
On Wednesday 16 July, Glasgow Life began legal moves to take UNISON to court under the UK’s anti-trade union laws to halt official strike action planned for 21 July. The fact that Glasgow Life, a Glasgow City Council run company, has used anti-trade union laws introduced by the Tories is despicable. Glasgow Life should be spending more time trying to resolve the dispute rather than attempting to undermine the democratic votes of trade union members. UNISON will not allow such actions to go unchallenged. Our members deserve fair treatment during the Commonwealth Games.
UNISON Glasgow Branch, 17 July 2014
