Local Government Service Group Conference
15-16 June 2008
Call for urgent action on 'devastating impact' of petrol rises
on mileage rates
Kate Ramsden |
UNISON will take urgent action to address the devastating impact
that soaring fuel costs is having on members who use their cars
for work. Huge increases in the cost of petrol and diesel mean that
many members are now subsidising their employers.
Delegates heard how branches were receiving distress
calls on a daily basis from members who were in despair at the situation
- members who were already hard hit by the knock-on effect of rising
fuel prices on food and other goods.
The Local Government Service Group Conference gave
its overwhelming backing to an emergency composite from a number
of local government branches and fully supported a range of measures
aimed at securing fair car rates, including starting discussions
about withdrawing the use of vehicles and industrial action.
An emergency motion from Aberdeenshire Branch ensured
that the unique Scottish position was reflected in the debate. Kate
Ramsden from Aberdeenshire told conference that we are seeing the
steepest rises in petrol and diesel costs for more than a century
with diesel now costing almost £1.30 a litre. "For our colleagues
on the Scottish Islands you can add 15p to that cost," she
said. "In Scotland, there is no longer national bargaining
on mileage rates and the mileage allowance paid by most Scottish
local authorities is the Inland Revenue rate of 40p per mile.
"It is a disgrace that this has not been increased
since 2002. Running a car for work now eats into our members' incomes
and is fast becoming a pay cut," she said, adding that this
hits low paid members the hardest.
She told conference, "Our members, especially
those in rural areas like Aberdeenshire, need their cars to do their
jobs. They don't have a choice. They need their cars to make sure
that vital services are provided to the most vulnerable in our society.
Services like home care for the elderly and disabled - a lifeline
in rural communities, but provided by some of our lowest paid members.
Services like social work services to protect vulnerable children
and to support families in need.
"We need action as a matter of urgency,"
she said, calling on the Service Group Executive to redouble its
efforts to campaign for an increase in the Inland Revenue rate,
and to put pressure on the government to address the fuel crisis
and to check the spiral of rising costs.
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