News
Council update on tomorrow's strike disruptions
From Fife Direct News,
Tuesday, 23rd September, 2008
Sandy Gallanders, Head of Human Resources has said that the industrial action planned for Wednesday 24 September looks likely to disrupt council services in a similar way to last month's strike.
"This repetition of industrial action by the trades unions is a response to a pay deal that is being negotiated at a national level by COSLA, on behalf of all Scottish councils.
"As an employer, Fife Council is sympathetic to people's concerns about the rising cost of living but we also have to be realistic about the amount of money that we have to cover employee salaries. The deal that has been put forward by COSLA is, quite simply, all that councils can afford at this time."
Fife Council has agreed with the trades unions the same exemptions to industrial action as for August 20. This means that the unions will not call on members working to protect the most vulnerable people in Fife to strike, helping the council maintain essential services.
Executive Director of Social Work, Stephen Moore said: "We will have to prioritise our resources on the day but many services will continue and priority cases will be handled. We will do our best to keep in touch with affected clients but, if you are concerned about your own welfare, or that of relatives, please contact us to discuss the situation."
Mr Gallanders continued: "Once again many schools and facilities are finding they need to close. We have asked schools to send letters out to parents by today to let them know what is happening. Many head teachers have already used the text alert system to warn parents that their schools will close on Wednesday.
"Bin collections are likely to be disrupted again and our advice remains the same. Put your bin out as normal and, if it doesn't get collected on the usual day, please leave it on the kerbside until Monday 29. If it still hasn't been collected check http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/
"More advice and information about disruptions is available on fifedirect. If you can use the website to carry out your business online on Wednesday, please do so, otherwise please wait until Thursday to try and call us if at all possible. In an emergency call 08451 55 00 99."
"This repetition of industrial action by the trades unions is a response to a pay deal that is being negotiated at a national level by COSLA, on behalf of all Scottish councils.
"As an employer, Fife Council is sympathetic to people's concerns about the rising cost of living but we also have to be realistic about the amount of money that we have to cover employee salaries. The deal that has been put forward by COSLA is, quite simply, all that councils can afford at this time."
Fife Council has agreed with the trades unions the same exemptions to industrial action as for August 20. This means that the unions will not call on members working to protect the most vulnerable people in Fife to strike, helping the council maintain essential services.
Executive Director of Social Work, Stephen Moore said: "We will have to prioritise our resources on the day but many services will continue and priority cases will be handled. We will do our best to keep in touch with affected clients but, if you are concerned about your own welfare, or that of relatives, please contact us to discuss the situation."
Mr Gallanders continued: "Once again many schools and facilities are finding they need to close. We have asked schools to send letters out to parents by today to let them know what is happening. Many head teachers have already used the text alert system to warn parents that their schools will close on Wednesday.
"Bin collections are likely to be disrupted again and our advice remains the same. Put your bin out as normal and, if it doesn't get collected on the usual day, please leave it on the kerbside until Monday 29. If it still hasn't been collected check http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/
"More advice and information about disruptions is available on fifedirect. If you can use the website to carry out your business online on Wednesday, please do so, otherwise please wait until Thursday to try and call us if at all possible. In an emergency call 08451 55 00 99."
