Unison local government ballot result ignored

Unison’s national joint committee voted by 24-3 on 29 October, not to go for industrial action over local government pay. This was despite there being a narrow majority (51.6%:48.4%) in the recent ballot for action.

Socialist Party member Glenn Kelly said: “This is the first time I can remember when the union got a ‘yes’ vote for action and didn’t use it.” Glenn made the point that the least they could do was go back to the employers with the vote for action and argue for more money, ie at least use the vote for action as a lever.

The postal strike meant that many members didn’t get their ballot paper. But there was still a ‘yes’ vote. Everybody is entitled to be cautious about calling action but the union leadership should make the most of the vote.

Glenn has also argued that Unison should have held the ballot after the national local government conference in June.

Bill Mullins