Fall out from the strike (From Mid Devon Star)

Fall out from the strike

10:20am Friday 18th July 2008

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UNISON members employed by Mid Devon District Council have taken part in two days of national strike action.

The strike, which took place on Wednesday and yesterday (Thursday), affected many council services.

The main office at Phoenix House, in Tiverton was closed, Tiverton High School was closed to students but open to staff and the libraries in Tiverton and Bampton were also closed.

Changes to staff rotas and other cover arrangements meant it was business as usual in domiciliary care, day care and residential care for adults.

Kate Wilkinson, who was on strike from St John's School, in Tiverton, told the Mid-Devon Star that although the school had not closed, seven staff, including meal time assistants and teaching assistants, felt it was important to strike.

She said: "We are telling everybody about our situation and getting our message across. "2.45% is not a good enough pay off when inflation is running higher than that.

"We have had ten years of under inflation rises."

Unison branch secretary Brian Williams said: "We call upon Mid Devon District Council to urge their representatives at national level, and the government, to get back to the negotiating table and end this unnecessary and demoralising dispute."

Mid Devon District Council leader Peter Hare-Scott said: "I do understand that families’ budgets are being squeezed.

"But the district council’s budget is tight - our settlement from the Government was only 2.1% and Mid Devon District Council, like many other authorities is unable to afford any more wages. "We have to abide by what happens nationally."

The union claims the employers' pay offer of 2.45% is effectively a wage cut, and want 6%.

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