Lib Dem Islington Council slams Unison for strikes on Islington's vulnerable services (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dem Islington Council slams Unison for strikes on Islington's vulnerable services

July 17, 2003 12:00 AM

Islington Council has this week condemned Unison for needless strike action that will harm some of the most vulnerable people in Islington. Unison are striking for the next four weeks in some of the Council's most at risk services such as social work for the mentally ill and day care for people with learning disabilities, along with the housing repair line. An urgent report about the impact of the strike action was taken to this week's Full Council meeting. At the meeting both the Lib Dems and Labour united against Unison for targeting their strikes against the most vulnerable people in Islington. Unison has even refused to allow basic life and limb cover, putting the most vulnerable people and their carers even more at risk. Islington Council is providing an emergency service. This latest strike action is part of an on-going dispute in which Unison is calling for an increase in the London Weighting to £4000. Meeting these demands would mean a rise of in Band D Council Tax of £90. The GMB and TBWU unions have already accepted a settlement which helps lower paid staff. This follows recent strikes against schools aimed at disrupting pupils taking exams. Lib Dem Executive Member for Social Services, Meral Ece said: "This strike will only harm the most needy and vulnerable people in Islington. That is simply unacceptable. Now that the Council has united against Unison we hope they'll come to their senses and call a halt to these strikes before it's too late. "In the meantime I'd like to reassure our users that we will be providing an emergency service and we will continue to work with other councils to resolve this dispute."