‘Intransigent management’

About 120 housing repair workers at Greenwich council are to strike for five days in disgust over the way they have been treated, Unite said today (October 22).

Unite said its members had voted by 95 per cent for strike action over a plan to introduce a new pay structure which will cut pay by 20 per cent and will now strike on October 28 and November 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The strikes will be staged by carpenters, electricians and plumbers, based at the Birchmere depot, Eastern Way, London SE28 8BF.

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said, “The Royal Borough of Greenwich council has a very poor employment relations’ culture.

“Our members are faced with proposals to introduce a new pay structure which will cut pay by 20 per cent and are disgusted by the way they have been treated by this local authority,” he added.

“The failure of the council’s bosses to address our members’ legitimate concerns has now resulted in five days of strike action.

“Unite has endeavoured over a long period to reach a fair settlement to this dispute, but, so far, we have been met with an intransigent management.

“That said, Unite’s door is open 24/7 for constructive talks before strike action starts next Monday (October 28).”