Camden Unison branch set for June 30 walkout

Workers in the repairs and improvements section of Camden Council's Housing & Adult Social Care directorate became the latest to co-ordinate their dispute with a momentous strike by the Civil Service union PCS and education unions NUT, ATL and UCU.

More than 80 per cent of local Unison members said Yes to a walkout over a controversial restructuring plan which has been rejected by workers.

Turnout was 51 per cent.

The decision by the industrial action committee to approve an initial walkout next week follows a similar announcement by Unison members in Birmingham.

Camden branch secretary George Binette said: "The overwhelming Yes vote reflects the anger felt by members at the dismissal of their colleagues, especially when two-dozen or more agency staff are undertaking work those at risk could well be doing and when numerous posts in the new structure are still vacant.

"At a time when the council has told tenants that there isn't the money to carry out a wide range of repairs it seems extraordinary that capable, experienced staff face redundancy.

He added: "The impact on black staff of this restructure and the cuts programme as a whole seems to have been very disproportionate.

"At least half of those at risk of redundancy in repairs and improvements are black."

Unison members will be mounting picket lines at Jamestown Road, London NW1, on the morning of Thursday June 30 when striking workers will be joined by colleagues from across the city.

johnm@peoples-press.com