10 October 2003
The capital's local authorities and post offices will grind to a halt as workers go on strike on October 16 to demand a £4,000 London weighting allowance.
Unison is expecting 'solid' support for the walkout from its 58,000 local government members in London's 33 authorities, causing massive disruption to services. The Communications Workers Union is also calling out its 30,000 Royal Mail members for a second one-day stoppage. The union staged its first strike on October 1.
Both unions, who insist their strikes are 'coincidental' rather than co-ordinated, are demanding the cost of living allowances be increased to £4,000 per year for all staff, whether they live in inner or outer London.
Unison members receive London weighting of between £1,511 and £2,845 per year, while CWU workers get between £2,367 and £3,484.
Julian Cooke, spokesman for Unison London, told Public Finance feelings were running high and 80% backed strike action. 'Local government staff don't qualify for other benefits, such as the starter home initiative, and there is now real momentum on this issue.'
The strike coincides with a meeting of the Greater London Provincial Council, the union-employer forum that negotiates pay and conditions, and strikers will demonstrate outside.
PFoct2003
