Greens Back Workers Against Birmingham City Council

The following is a news release from the Green Party of England and Wales :

Green Party commits total support to Birmingham City Council workers

Restructuring always means misery for workers

Public protest at Birmingham City Council offices - Saturday 12th January, Midday.

Green Principal Speaker Dr Derek Wall today led Green Party support for the 40,000 Birmingham City Council employees being dismissed and forced to re-apply for their jobs.

Despite overwhelming opposition from Trade Unions the City Council intend to make employees re-apply for their old positions, often on lower terms and worse conditions. The Council is also embarking on a massive programme of outsourcing many frontline services. Crucial public service posts like finance, HR & customer service points have already been outsourced to Capita, with more decisions planned.

Dr. Wall said:

'"I condemn Birmingham City Council's plans to dismiss and re-employ all 40,000 of their workers on new and presumably lower pay grades. Unison has the 100% support of the Green Party in opposing these measures and Birmingham Green Party is mobilising to support their protest. Privatising jobs is the essential message here and we need to prevent it occuring.

"It seems PFI has once again reared its ugly head.

"Flexible labour markets are defended in terms of cost gains and efficiency but they always mean pay cuts and insecurity. Restructuring always means misery for workers. Green politics is about social justice but Birmingham City Council are attempting to push down pay and reduce security for their workers. This most be resisted.

"I urge people who believe in fair workers' rights to attend the planned public demonstration outside Birmingham City Council offices on Saturday."

The following is from Birmingham City Council's Joint TUs:

What you can do!
* Send support & Branch Banners for the Mass Rally on Saturday 12th January 12-1.30, Victoria Square, Birmingham
* Circulate & encourage members to sign the petition available from Birmingham Unison
* Write to the leader of Birmingham City Council registering your concern about their proposals.

If you wish to receive further information about the campaign & dispute please remember to include your E-mail address in any communication.

Yours in solidarity
Caroline Johnson
Unison Assistant Branch Secretary on behalf of Birmingham City
Councils Joint Trade Union's (T&G, Amicus, Unison, GMB, UCATT)
---

Write to Birmingham UNISON Local Government Branch
c/o 3rd Floor Albany House
Hurst Street
Birmingham
B5 4BD
Tel: 0121 622 8700

You can write to the Leader of BCC, Cllr. Mike Whitby (Tory) at:
Birmingham City Council
Council House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
England
B1 1BB

His email address is Mike.Whitby@birmingham.gov.uk