Flooding crisis as a bargaining tool (From Witney Gazette)

Flooding crisis as a bargaining tool

7:07pm Monday 13th August 2007 in Witney

UNION leaders in Oxfordshire are preparing to table a five per cent pay demand - and will use the recent flooding crisis as a bargaining tool.

According to senior union source, the upcoming pay demand - which will be made on behalf of the thousands of local government employees across the county - will make huge play on the many staff who went 'beyond the call of duty' in dealing with the recent flooding in Oxford, Witney, and Abingdon.

As reported in the Gazette, many frontline council staff worked around-the-clock to ensure those affected were given help and those evacuated from their homes were given shelter. And many more workers were involved in the massive clear-up operation.

But when leaders meet managers at County Hall for their showdown, reference will be made to the ten per cent pay award senior staff were awarded earlier this year.

In reality, though, many of the 18,000 rank-and-file county council employees are in line for a pay increase of about 2.5 per cent.

Oxfordshire Unison branch chairman, Mark Fysh said: "I want to sing the praises of all local government and public sector workers who have worked so hard at all levels to help save all our homes, our health and our lives across Oxfordshire. Many staff worked hard for hours above and beyond the call of duty because they believe in serving and protecting the public.

"The next time public sector workers ask for a decent pay rise of, say five per cent, I ask you to remember this time - and remember us. Because we are worth it."

In March this year, County Hall's most senior employees were awarded bumper ten per cent pay rises, sparking outrage among public sector workers.

County councillor Charles Shouler, cabinet member for finance, said: "We are in the hands of the national negotiators. We will watch and await the outcome."