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City workers walk out over salary row



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Published Date: 02 June 2008
AROUND 170 council workers in Edinburgh were today expected to stage a one-day walkout in a row over pay.
Craft workers employed by local authorities across Scotland agreed to the strike, and the various unions involved warned that this was likely to be only the first of a series of 24-hour strikes over pay and conditions.

The workers include plumbers, gas fitters, electricians and lift engineers. The Unite union said the workers were "angry" over their long hours when compared to other council employees.

They have also rejected a 2.45 per cent pay offer.

National union official John Allott said: "Our members have been treated with contempt by Scottish local government employers by offering workers a below-inflation pay rise and the refusal to grant craft workers a 37-hour week."

The council have said arrangements have been out in place to minimise the impact the strike will have on council services.





The full article contains 162 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 02 June 2008 11:32 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

alex paterson,

embra 02/06/2008 13:05:28
City workers walk out over salary row,good let them walk out who needs them.
2

Brian M,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 13:13:52
Does anyone know what their actual working week is? Do they actually work all of the hours or are they like fireman and wait around in their depot or wherever until being called out for emergencies?
3

LUVMACITY,

IN THE LOBBY 02/06/2008 13:25:13
FIREMEN DO NOT SIT AROUND. THEY ARE CONSTANTLY TRAINING TO BECOME MORE PROFICIENT IN THE SAVING OF LIVES INCLUDING EEJITS LIKE BRIAN M.
4

paul the binman,

02/06/2008 13:33:31
Ah the usual voices of reason.Any one who takes action to protect their rights are all trouble makers.Its not like this in the private sector ,try working for a change blah, blah, blah, blah.
To be told by a part time councillor who earns upward of 20,000 pound a year that there has to be a low level pay rise to balance the books at the same time as they are spending a fortune on then selves is a bit much.The work force are not out on strike because they cant pay their morgages,because most of us cant afford to own a house,no we are taking action just to keep our heads above water.
2.5% of my wage is about 4 pound a week which is about half the amount a councillor can claim for his or her breakfast allowance for one day,so you tell me who the greedy one is here.
5

Paddi,

02/06/2008 14:09:08
Try walking out in the private sector and you'll pick up your P45. 2.45%, offer that to me and i'll take your arm off
6

Edinburghs Finest,

02/06/2008 14:29:34
# 2.5% of my wage is about 4 pound a week which is about half the amount a councillor can claim for his or her breakfast allowance for one day,so you tell me who the greedy one is here.

Depends whether they have a full Scottish or just toast and coffee... not all councillors are greedy!
7

Jakey Rowling,

02/06/2008 14:44:26
What John Allot meant to say was it's all a big plot, and the truth will be unearthed.
8

Jingsitsme,

EDINBURGH 02/06/2008 14:57:55
well let em walk out. Plenty more people to fill their places. Too big for their boots and don't like hard work like others do outside of council for a fare wage.
9

Brian M,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 16:26:18
Plumbers, fitters, electricians and engineers - all craftsmen - and no doubt earning a craftsman's wage, whatever that is, but they fail to let us know, merely moaning about hours and a 2.45% pay rise.

I would like to know what their salary and hours are so that I could make my mind up about the validity of their grievance.
10

Brian M,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 16:33:48
Why don't they go out and find an employer who is willing to pay them what they want?
11

Kirsty Boyd-Williamson,

New Town 02/06/2008 16:35:42
#4 Paul - Well said, sir. I would miss the cleansing workers long before I noticed or even cared about the absence of many from the private sector.
12

Robin Bankes,

Culross 02/06/2008 17:41:52
No 11 Kirsty. I would entirely agree. I do consultancy work for both private and public sectors. Within each I have seen incompetence and laziness. I have also seen great skills and hard work. I suspect that most who whinge in these forums about the public sector have no direct experience of that sector and only whige for the sake of whingeing. A sort of Meldrew Mantality. Like you, I appreciate what paul the binman and his colleagues do.
13

Brian M,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 17:49:38
So can anyone tell us the basic salary of these grieving Plumbers, fitters, electricians and engineers?
14

Gorgie_Tony,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 18:08:58
So these greedy council workers are not satisfied with their latest pay offer - well I suggest you resign (and leave a job for someone more appreciative), and find a job that pays what you want. By the way - your absence was greatly appreciated - your very bad driving on the road let the ordinary user feel more safe on the roads. Sack the lot of them - they are nothing but a load of lazy, idle council employees.
15

Brian M,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 18:27:00
Still nothing from these grieving Plumbers, fitters, electricians and engineers about their basic salary
16

John Knox furr First Meenister,

High St, Embra 02/06/2008 19:55:16
#15 Here a gas engineer vacancy Brian, from the council's vacancies page (weekly salary) -

Gas Engineer x 2

Ref No: 7356
£313.71 plus productivity bonus 38.25

33 Murrayburn Road

You will be involved in fault finding, repair work and servicing to heating systems and domestic gas appliances within the full range of Council properties, adhering to HSE, CORGI, Gas installation & USE regulations. You must be a time served Gas Engineer, with the appropriate qualification. A valid driving licence is essential.



Closing Date: 13 June 2008
17

John Knox furr First Meenister,

High St, Embra 02/06/2008 19:57:16
And heres a plasterer

Plasterer
(Empty Homes)

Ref No: 7357
£251.75 per week plus significant productivity bonus 38.25 hours per week

33 Murrayburn Road

You will be involved in the repair and maintenance work within the full range of Council properties. You must be a Time Served Plasterer, with the appropriate qualification. Possession of a clean, current driving licence is essential.



Closing Date: 13 June 2008
18

John Knox furr First Meenister,

High St, Embra 02/06/2008 19:58:27
And here's a plumber. Happy noo? Whit was your point, anyway?

Plumber x 3

Ref No: 7355
Approved £253.45/Advanced £276.65 per week plus significant productivity bonus. 38.25 hours per week

Edinburgh Building Services, 33 Murrayburn Road

You will be involved in the repair and maintenance work within the full range of Council properties. You must be a Time Served Plumber, with the appropriate qualification. Possession of a valid driving licence is essential.



Closing Date: 13 June 2008
19

Douglas,

Bathgate 02/06/2008 20:07:20
Robin Bankes,are you all whacked out on scooby snacks?
20

John Knox furr First Meenister,

High St, Embra 02/06/2008 20:14:10
Shh, Mr Bankes.. we're awaiting the deliberations of Brian M [quote] "I would like to know what their salary and hours are so that I could make my mind up about the validity of their grievance."

The courtroom is hushed.. we await a weighty pronouncement on the validity or otherwise of the grievance. Roll of drums....
21

Brian M,

Edinburgh 02/06/2008 21:04:10
As a private sector worker I would be glad to get over £15,000 pa which it appears they would get with their significant bonus, and more with the 2.75% rise.

They probably earn more than most Edinburgh workers as it is.

I have no sympathy with them.

22

,

03/06/2008 00:59:21
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
23

Brian M,

Edinburgh 03/06/2008 06:12:53
#22

If the private sector is so much better then the solution is for these grieving public servants to go get a job outside.

 

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