London hit by strikes
Postal and council workers down tools today in a 24-hour strike over London weighting allowances.
The industrial action by up to 60,000 local government employees and 30,000 Royal Mail workers will affect postal deliveries and local services including school meals and rubbish collection.
It is estimated the strike at Royal Mail will cost the firm £10 million.
Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of The Communication Workers’ Union said: “Prices of accommodation, transport, food and entertainment are vastly higher in the capital than the rest of the country and our members need levels of London allowances that reflect that position.”
Strikers want a £4000 London weighting allowance.
The strike comes as other disgruntled workers take to the streets. Workers at BT will stage a separate protest over allowances on Thursday.
And the lecturers’ union, the Association of University Teachers (AUT), meets today to discuss national industrial action over pay.
On Friday building workers in Liverpool are to hold a one-day strike over job cuts.
The Association of London Government attacked the decision by the public sector union, Unison, to call out its 55,000 members. The ALG said London was fed up with Unison’s “ruthless strikes.”
Councillor Ann John, Chair of the Employers’ Side of the Greater London Provincial Council said: “London has had enough of Unison’s ruthless and pointless strike action. The strikes follow a generous 7.7-11 per cent pay rise and an additional offer for lower paid workers.
“Councils can’t afford another rise. Meeting Unison’s demands would mean raising council tax by £90, cutting services or axing 11,000 jobs across London.”
