24 October 2003
Public sector unions have condemned as 'spiteful' the decision by the capital's local authorities to withdraw the offer of an extra £200 London weighting for the lowest-paid council workers.
The Association of London Government announced it had scrapped the offer following a one-day strike by Unison members on October 16.
Now the T&G and the GMB, who had accepted the additional £200 for staff earning £14,796 or less, are also threatening to go on strike.
T&G national organiser Jack Dromey said he was 'absolutely amazed at the callous act' of the employers.
'It is a kick in the teeth for London's lowest paid,' he added.
The union's London regional organiser, Tommy Douras, said the London branches would now meet to decide their response, but he warned that the possibility of members going back on strike was 'very high'.
The GMB said it was also consulting and echoed the warning that further strikes were likely.
The unions are demanding that London weighting be increased to £4,000 per year for all staff in inner and outer London. Workers currently receive an allowance of between £1,511 and £2,845 per year.
But local authorities say they cannot afford to meet the unions' claim and insist that they will stand firm in the face of any further strikes.
Ann John, who chairs the employers' side of the Greater London Provincial Council, blamed Unison for the decision to withdraw the offer.
'Unison is the largest trade union in London local government, without its agreement we are unable to award the pay rise,' she said.
'Councils simply can't afford to meet the union demands without service cuts, job losses or a major council tax rise,' she added.
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