Council and health board preparing for strikes.

Nov 25 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HUNDREDS of public sector workers across Ayrshire are set to strike over proposed changes to their pensions.

Members of GMB, Unite and UNISON unions will stand shoulder to shoulder on picket lines across South Ayrshire on Wednesday, November 30.

The industrial action is likely to have an impact on council and health services for the day.

The strike action is in response to government plans to increase employee pension contributions and the age of retirement.

Unions have been working closely with the council and health service to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Lynne Todd, head of people and organisation development at the council, said: “We are working closely with our trades union partners to maintain safe levels of patient care at all times.

“We have started to contact patients who have a hospital appointment on this date, to let them know how this will affect them.

“Members of the public can also check our website, facebook and twitter pages for the latest updates.”

Bin collections and facilities like schools, libraries and council tax offices may also be affected.

David Anderson, chief executive of South Ayrshire Council, said: “We’re currently assessing the likely levels of disruption across individual services; however, I would encourage people to think about any alternative arrangements they may have to make as a result of the action – particularly parents and carers who will need to have suitable childcare available if their child’s school is closed.

“Specific details on expected closures and service levels will be updated on our website and through our customer contact centre when available, and schools are in contact with parents and carers directly.

Paul Arkison, organiser of the GMB, said: “GMB Scotland represents around 400 workers at South Ayrshire Council and a significant majority have voted to take industrial action in order to protect their pensions.

“GMB Scotland totally oppose the proposals from the Tory/Liberal coalition and consider it daylight robbery by attacking and devaluing, already hard-pressed council workers' pensions.

“The last straw for GMB members who are currently facing salary freezes is to take strike action but this is the only option left to trade union members in order to protect what meagre terms and conditions of employment they have left.”

Ewing Hope, from UNISON the healthcare union, added: “We expect all our members to take part in this industrial action, other than those who are elected to provide emergency cover. We have been working closely with the health board as patient safety is paramount. This is not action against the NHS, it’s against the government.”

“Our members are being punished for preparing for their retirement to enable them to provide for themselves and not rely on state handouts.

“We’ll have picket lines at all the main sites including Ayr, Biggart and Ailsa Hospitals.”

For more information on how council services will be affected during the day of strike next Wednesday log on to www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/industrial-action