Industrial action planned for Monday, August 10 2009 has been suspended. The public should expect all services to run as normal.
The strike had been called over a dispute in changes to the working patterns of staff currently working in parks; street cleaning outside the city centre, and road maintenance. Other workers in Land and Environmental Services (LES), including refuse collectors, were also expected to join the dispute.
The changes, which are designed to provide the city with a better service, save taxpayers’ money and protect jobs, will see staff working four on/four off, allowing the Council to offer a seven day service and save around £5 million.
JOINT STATEMENT, 7 AUGUST 2009
An agreement has now been reached following further talks with Glasgow City Council and the Trade Unions today.
Throughout this process both sides have been focussed on three things: Providing the best possible service for the people of Glasgow; using taxpayers’ money well; and protecting jobs.
In order to meet these objectives, the council and the trades unions jointly commit to the following:
1. The first phase of the new working arrangements will be introduced for an initial period of 18 months and reviewed thereafter.
2. The second phase of the new working arrangements will be introduced in 6 months and reviewed after 12 months.
3. In order to achieve work life balance for staff in LES, staff will not routinely work weekends for two months of the year, December and January.
4. A working group will be established which consists of Trades Unions and the Council which will meet regularly to monitor progress and liaise on ongoing issues.
5. The planned strike action will be suspended for one week in order for the trade unions to recommend these commitments to their members and ballot.
6. The introduction of the new working arrangements in Land and Environmental Services will be suspended for 1 week.
Signed on behalf of Glasgow City Council
Councillor Steven Purcell
Signed on behalf of the Trades Unions
Jimmy Farrelly, UNITE the Union
Martin Doran, GMB
Chris Stephens, UNISON