National strike set to hit Wigan council services

Monday 14 July 2008 223/08


Many council services in Wigan borough will be hit this Wednesday and Thursday (16 and 17 July) by a national strike organised by two local government unions – Unison and Unite - over the 2008 pay offer.

Council chiefs say they won’t know for certain the extent of the action until the strike days, but it’s likely that refuse collection and some schools will be affected. However leisure services such as libraries and sports centres will not be hit.

At this stage there’s a possibility that no bins will be emptied on Wednesday and Thursday. However, the advice to householders is that they should still put their bins and paper sacks out just in case. Priority is being given to household waste so green bins may not be emptied. If bins aren’t emptied, they should be taken back onto the property and put out again the following week.

The council has pledged to try and maintain vital services to vulnerable groups and residents who could be at risk. Exemptions have been requested from the trade unions in respect of “Life and Limb” services. So far the council has not heard whether these have been granted.

Bernard Walker, Director of Adult Services, said “Our services will be affected. We are not able to say to what extent, but some places may close. Our aim is to provide as many services as we can, but we are working on the basis of the same principles we would use for public holidays – first priority to those people who are most vulnerable and at risk.”

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust will NOT be affected by the strike action. Libraries, sports centres, parks, cemeteries and Wigan crematorium should all be operating normally since Unison members employed by the Trust were not included in the ballot. Pay awards for leisure staff are determined by the Trust’s board rather than national negotiation and none of the Trust’s eight-hundred strong workforce will be taking part in strike action.

While teachers are NOT taking action, caretakers, dinner ladies and school admin staff may do so. The council expects some schools may need to close for health and safety reasons, some will be partially open and others unaffected. There will be a partial school meals service and where possible alternative arrangements put in place. Headteachers will notify parents directly of the effects on their individual school.

Wigan and Leigh Housing employees have been balloted, but Wigan and Leigh Housing says it has contingency plans in place which it is confident are workable with little disruption to the public. Repairs to council properties should not be disrupted as Leigh Building Services will be working normally.

The council’s main switchboard – 01942 244991 - will be operating as normal on the strike days and will try to connect callers to the service they require. The environmental services helpline – 01942 404364 – will also operate as normal. The Careline service should be unaffected, as should the central watch station which provides security surveillance.

Wigan Civic Centre cash office will be open for business as normal, but Leigh Town Hall cash office will be closed. People can continue to pay council bills at any Post Office, Paypoint or Payzone outlet. Those paying by debit or credit card can use the Freephone telephone facility with 24/7 automated digital service, or pay via the internet.

Executive Director of Business Support Services, Dr David Smith, said: “This is a national dispute about pay, and action is taking place all over the country. Here in Wigan we will do our best to ensure that essential and emergency services continue, particularly to those that are in need of them most.

“There is likely to be considerable disruption but just how much will not be clear until the strike days. There could also be future action and we will keep residents informed as much as possible through the local media and our website.”