North council pledges strikers' pay to charity

Nov 27 2011 by Adrian Pearson, Sunday Sun

Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has praised Mr Forbes actions and urged others to follow.

He said: “The North East has been one of the regions worst affected by the Government’s austerity measures and it is testament to the renowned compassion and solidarity of the region that this idea has emerged here.

“This pioneering initiative demonstrates empathy and vision from the council’s leadership and workforce.

“Other public services employers up and down the country should now consider following their example and direct savings from next week’s strike to help those hit hardest by the government’s policies.”

Newcastle branch secretary of Unison, Paul Gilroy, said: “Obviously nobody wants to lose money or strike pay before Christmas.

“The idea is to make it as palatable as possible to lose salary so close to Christmas.

“We aren’t taking strike action against council or our employers, but as a result of the Government pension proposal.”

Chair of the Northern Public Services Alliance, Clare Williams, said: “It is a sign of trade union members’ ongoing commitment to helping the most vulnerable that they’ve led the way with this groundbreaking initiative in Newcastle.

“However, unless this Tory-led Government halts its savage and counter-productive cuts then poverty and unemployment will keep rising while the bankers who caused this crisis continue to grow their wealth at our expense.”

Only a month ago the Sunday Sun revealed charity bosses expect those most in need will be facing heavy losses this winter. Figures from the TUC show £13m has been taken from six councils in the North in the last six months.

None of the 12 other North East councils contacted by the Sunday Sun have announced plans to offer strike wages to charities.