Unison protest outside of Rochdale Town Hall

Rochdale Unison members lobbied the council meeting yesterday (Wednesday 15 October) to highlight concerns about proposals regarding staff pay and conditions.

Neal Linsky, Unison Regional Organiser said: “The proposed changes will lead to losses of thousands of pounds for some of our members, all at a time when staff have not had a decent pay rise in years. The damage to staff morale is immeasurable, not to mention the impact it will have on the local economy due to the reduced spending power of council employees.

“If the Council insists on pushing ahead with these damaging cuts, Unison does not rule out the possibility of conducting a ballot for industrial action.”

Rochdale Council is currently proposing the following measures in order to making savings over the coming years:

• Five days unpaid leave for all staff.
• Reduction of overtime and weekend working enhancements.
• Removal of shift pay.
• Removal of bank holiday payments.
• Non payment of the first three days of sickness.
• Removal of annual increments.
• Removal of the Essential Car User Allowance for staff who are obliged to provide a vehicle.