SEPA action starts after ballot delivers thumping majority
UNISON members working for the Scottish Environment Protection
Agency (SEPA) have started a range of disruptive action after
an overwhelming ballot vote.
Nearly 88% of those voting, voted YES to take action short
of strike, starting on 12 May. SEPA issued dismissal notices
(which will be followed by re-engagement on lesser conditions)
to a large number of its staff in a unilateral attempt to
impose changes to employees pay and conditions.
This followed a failed attempt to pressure staff into signing
these conditions away. In addition UNISON says the agency
has failed to agree a pay claim from 2006 and is in breach
of its own agreements on job evaluation procedures.
John Keggie, UNISON's Scottish Organiser said: "The vote
was a clear rejection of management's attacks on staff pay
and conditions, and we would hope that SEPA will see sense
and withdraw their threats of imposition.
"We are always available for discussions with the employers,
but staff are deeply frustrated and need more than words."
The SEPA pay and grading proposals could lead to some staff
losing thousands of pounds a year. The attempt to pressure
staff into signing away their rights led to a 93% vote of
no confidence in the board and management of SEPA. Over 200
individual grievances have also been lodged, and now an 88%
action vote Staff voted for a range of action short of strike,
for example, working to contract and to contracted hours,
and to refuse voluntary work - such as on-call duty, action
that is likely to restrict the ability of SEPA to carry out
work relating to sampling, inspection and flood warning etc.
Alan Fleming, SEPA UNISON branch chair, said: "This is a
responsible and caring workforce, who don't want to take strike
action, because they know the importance of the work they
do in protecting the environment and safeguarding public health.
"They have been forced into this action by a completely intransigent
management. We are now planning our action which is targeted
at having the maximum effect on the employer."
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