| Strike
against housing cash collection cuts
Jane Carolan reports on the Glasgow Housing Association
dispute
Wednesday 30 March saw all Glasgow housing offices closed
as Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) staff struck following
a successful ballot. Well over 500 members took action, closing
virtually all housing offices in the city.
The action was provoked by the GHA decision to withdraw
cash collection facilities, and cut cashiers' posts from local
offices.
John Wright, Senior Steward for GHA staff said, "This means
that rent collection is not available at housing offices and
that tenants will be forced to use alternatives, which may
include post offices, themselves under threat, or local shops,
and in some cases local off-licences.
"Safety in housing offices for cash payment can be taken
for granted but the local off-sales?"
At present tenants use housing offices as a one-stop-shop
for rent advice, to report repairs or deal with any other
query that they have in relation to their tenancy. In a city
where a large percentage of tenants are elderly, or on benefits,
the local housing office is vital. Glasgow is also a city
where rent arrears have been a major problem and to most people
a local approach to arrears would appear to be common sense.
Additionally many local offices collect considerable amounts
in council tax not only from tenants but from private householders
for whom local offices are convenient. But the GHA's rationale
is balancing its books, so cashiers had to go.
UNISON was not only concerned about the GHA's action but
the manner in which it was decided. GHA Chief Executive Michael
Lennon gave an assurance that the issue would be discussed
by the full board but, prior to its meeting, the union found
that a decision had been taken on the quiet by a sub committee.
John said, "The GHA's actions have been typical of their
arrogant decision making where genuine union consultation
has been neither a priority or, if truth be told, much of
a reality."
The issue was well understood by local office staff who saw
that jobs were being cut and that the service being offered
to the public was becoming poorer. Hence the magnificent response
to the strike call.
Most of the handful that went to work chose not to walk through
the picket lines but - to the horror of those picketing -
drove through, taking little care. At least one member of
the public, a community activist supporting the action, was
upset as a car hit him.
Discussions are now underway with the union, but further
action has not been ruled out if a mutually agreeable solution
is not forthcoming.
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