Date 4 December 2006

Talks between Glasgow City Council and UNISON lead to cancellation of strike

Following talks between Glasgow City Council and UNISON, the union has decided to call off the strike action planned for December 5th, 6th and 7th.

Speaking after the meeting Glasgow City UNISON Branch Chair Mike Kirby and Council Leader Steven Purcell issued the following statement.

"Glasgow City Council and UNISON have reached an agreement about the implementation of the Workforce Pay and Benefits review. We will now work together on staff development and service reform in order to ensure that we deliver a high quality service to the citizens of Glasgow and protect take home pay in the long term.

"The Council is committed to assisting individual employees who are in a loss of earnings position and has given a clear commitment to ensure all appropriate action is taken to provide such employees with the opportunity to move to a higher level post, thus allowing maintenance of their earnings in the long term.

"Development plans and service redesign are the two main means of achieving the objective stated above. It is the clear intention to have agreed plans in place for all relevant staff which are capable of delivery by March 2009.

"The Council is prepared to agree an extension beyond March 2009 where it has not been possible to complete the development plan and/or where service redesign has not been practically implemented.

"The overall progress of the Employee Development Commitment from now until at least March 2009 will be the subject of regular monitoring involving the Trade Unions through the Steering Group already established.”

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Mike Kirby(Glasgow City Branch Chair) 0845 355 0845(w) 07803 952 261(m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0845 355 0845(w) 0771 558 3729(m)

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