Council and local government cuts and restructuring

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steven

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Dec 4 2006 19:32

Anyone else caught up in this?

I see a thread about mancs advice workers, which is interesting.

I work for a London council, and they've been pushing through cuts for a while. Mostly I was a temp - my old temp job was deleted, but now I'm permanent. Our department keeps shrinking as people leave and their posts aren't filled. Meanwhile the council's spending a fortune on consultants, temp agency staff and big wages for managers. I'm still on probation so being generally good, there have been a lot of discussions about it recently though, that with one person so far have turned to resistance - namely in the form of refusal to cover for frozen posts. This was mooted at a Unison union meeting apparently; there's another one in a week or two I'm going to so will see what happens there. The union seems pretty powerless though.

They're being real arseholes about it, one woman I work with is being deleted, she can apply for a new job elsewhere - 2 grades lower (with final-salary-linked pension, so can't do that), and if she "chooses" to leave - i.e. doesn't take the shit lower-paid job then her redundancy will be capped.

So anyone else in a similar situation, or has been? What were your experiences/actions?

Mike Harman

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Dec 4 2006 20:14

I don't work in a council, saw this today though: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6206382.stm

There's been a few strikes over that (and more threatened ones) - some people's jobs being regraded from 20k down to about 13k, that sort of thing.

fudge

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Dec 4 2006 20:40

I work in a University, but we come under the county council
I think and have a lot in common.
We are currently going through restructuring, job evaluation and pay framework agreement which the date of implemetation keeps being put back and we are not being told the results of our job evaluation or the new pay spine, which is making me very suspicous. Very little information coming from management
or UNISON.

Lazy Riser

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Dec 4 2006 20:46

Quote:

one woman I work with is being deleted, she can apply for a new job elsewhere - 2 grades lower

Hope she's been there long enough to get redundancy pay.

I wonder if they're bringing this on the back of moves to bring blue and white collar workers under a "single status". Not to mention equal pay audits.

Talk about economic crisis though. Either cut public sector spending or suffer a raise in the price of food, land and imported goods. This whole agenda of choice is working out really well.

Love

Mike Harman

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Dec 4 2006 20:47

Lazy Riser wrote:

Either cut public sector spending or suffer a raise in the price of food, land and imported goods. This whole agenda of choice is working out really well.

or?

Lazy Riser

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Dec 4 2006 21:27

Mike Harman wrote:

or?

Positively organize the collective, socialized management of production and power, as they say.

Love

Mike Harman

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Joined: 7-02-06

Dec 4 2006 22:19

Noooo

Quote:

Either cut public sector spending or suffer a raise in the price of food, land and imported goods. This whole agenda of choice is working out really well.

Why "or"? Surely both...

Lazy Riser

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Dec 4 2006 22:48

Oh I see, sure. More a case of choosing how far the pendulum swings between them.

Love

ticking_fool

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Dec 5 2006 08:16

fudge wrote:

We are currently going through restructuring, job evaluation and pay framework agreement which the date of implemetation keeps being put back and we are not being told the results of our job evaluation or the new pay spine

They're really fucking about with this nationally - there have been all sorts of tricks played with HERA right across the board.

Incidentally, if you're in education, you might want to look at this thread (http://libcom.org/forums/organise/education-workers-meeting-at-the-anarchist-bookfair)

#10

steven

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Dec 26 2006 01:55

An update on this, went to a union meeting about this the other day, seemed pretty good. My last place I was in the union T&G it was like 8 of us in a room in lunch every few weeks. This (Unison) was during work time, in work premises in a big packed-out hall with about 300 people there (out of 10,000 workers). Everyone seemed pretty pissed off, votes were cast in favour of "all-out" (but not indefinite) strike action over pensions, and strike action over the cuts, as well as overtime ban and boycotts of vacant posts (of which there are lots, and I will probably have to cover soon...), with victimisation to be opposed by industrial action.

These weren't ballots though, so I'm not sure what'll happen next. All the speakers from the branch (and one MP!) were very pissed off with national unison for being a bunch of shits, the labour MP was particularly amusing as he railed against both Unison (of which he's a member) and the Labour government, saying the time for negotiations was over, all the govt. would listen to is direct action, and that we need to take the struggle into our own hands. So we'll see what happens.

All the speakers that I could identify pretty much were trots; arguing with the branch being more moderate were SWP types, the ultra-militant ones seemed to all be SP. I didn't vote for the ultra-militant resolutions because they seemed pie in the sky, and not connected to the sentiment of the majority of workers.

Pensions I don't know, but if we took action we could win on the cuts since our council doesn't really need to make the cuts. It seems it's been left pretty late though (one guy took the floor to slag off the union for this). In my dept a few people are very pissed off; seems to be a big feeling of let's just get on with it and help people with what we've got, and quite a few transitory/temp workers. Have spoken to one non-union colleague about the boycott independently of the meeting who was up for it, so I guess we'll see. One thing though, if she did participate and wasn't in the union, would that mean it was legal to sack her for participating? And if so should she join the union?

#11

steven

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Feb 7 2007 00:29

Right we've got another big meeting about this from the big picture. Nothing's happened so far following the strike + boycott vote.

On a micro-level, my small bit of a team is 6 people with 1 temp. One person has been deleted, they're trying to get us all to do the deleted person's job, we've pledged to refuse additional duties (without additional pay at least). The temp can't really say no though. It'll be interesting to see if/how they try to force us. But I'm hoping generally everyone can make it too hard to make the cuts so they'll reverse some of them.

Anyway I have to meet my boss next week, when he'll ask me to take on additional work. I'm wondering whether I should say that I feel that I should oppose the cuts as part of my job as public servant, because I think we should be able to provide a good service to our residents, and the cuts will make this impossible. Is this naive? Should I just say I'm too busy? (They're both true)

Oh, and they took our free tea and coffee away. angry

#12

Mike Harman

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Feb 7 2007 00:36

steven wrote:

I'm wondering whether I should say that I feel that I should oppose the cuts as part of my job as public servant, because I think we should be able to provide a good service to our residents, and the cuts will make this impossible. Is this naive? Should I just say I'm too busy? (They're both true)

Depends on your boss. I'd probably do a bit of both, although without using the phrase public servant

#13

Lone Wolf

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Feb 7 2007 02:57

steven wrote:

One person has been deleted,
Um you used this phrase before - sounds a bit scary..

I am assuming you mean the persons job was deleted and not the actual person.. tho if you were working for a pharma company and they uncovered some unsavoury truth i wouldn't be surprised...

Anyway I have to meet my boss next week, when he'll ask me to take on additional work.

Its good that you already know what the meeting is about - whether they have told you or not you clearly - to use your phrase - know the 411. This helps - at least you know you will not be taken by surprise.

I'm wondering whether I should say that I feel that I should oppose the cuts as part of my job as public servant, because I think we should be able to provide a good service to our residents, and the cuts will make this impossible. Is this naive?

Yes. It is also true tho! As Catch says whether or not you choose to share this depends on the nature of the boss and what you know or intuit about his beliefs, political views, nature etc etc. If from what you can deduce (and tho you are a hetty male i am sure you have some clues.. ) you feel it will help your cause to share this, do, if not don't.

Should I just say I'm too busy?

Too vague and a bit dismissive sounding. I can tell you the text book response to this situ tho i am not sure if you would be comfortable using it as it is very businessy.

When you are asked to take on additional duties for no extra money/paid time the first step is to go in with a clear list (in your mind, on paper or both) of your current main responsibilities and the extra ones. Let us say you currently have five and they want to add in an extra three.

This is how you phrase it:

"My current duties consist of a,b,c,d,e. Given that you would like me to take on f,g and h and there is no proposed increase in my paid hours, which 5 of these 8 duties do you wish me to carry out/prioritise??"

Its a beauty cos you are being assertive and stating that you are well aware what you are being asked to do goes way outside your current remit but you are being polite, logical, businesslike - you are showing you are willing to negotiate and compromise and are giving him a choice without making a demand. Fact remains whatever he chooses you win - cos why would you care which of the 5 of the 8 duties you perform?? As your boss he is supposed to be the one that makes/cares about that decision.

Of course i am being the naive/idealistic one here as esp. as this is public sector,the decision is prolly out of his hands. If he is a decent bloke he is in the unenviable position of having to impose cuts and extra workload from above he may not agree with whilst having to deal with your - understandable - dissent - whilst having no real power to do anything about it. However if he ISN'T a decent bloke and cares only for himself than fuck him!!

Fact is even if you can't change the final outcome - and you MAY be able to do this if, of course, there is enough collective dissent - at least you can make it clear you do not find this imposition acceptable. You will come out of there feeling you have done the best you can.

The best phrases to use are always one like - "as you already know", "as you are no doubt aware" and "given that"..they are great ways to let the bosses know that you are on "onto them" and that whatever they may SAY, you both know the truth of the matter.

Oh, and they took our free tea and coffee away.

Hah!! Yes - a classic org. mistake. The person in accounts decides looking at the balance sheet that this tiny saving can be made and it "all adds up". The mistake here is that when it comes to organising ones personal finances this is true but when it comes to workplace situs, this tiny gain for the coffers of the org is more than offset by the understandably disgruntled reaction of employees to this petty act. This happens because a) accountants tend not to have many friends and really should get out more... tongue and b)orgs are stupid..This is all grist for the revolutionary mill tho cos you will find for a lot of employees it is actually petty lil acts that galanize them into action and are the "last straw."

Nil desperandum!

On a more personal note i think you have been quite lucky tbh - i have yet to work in a workplace that has ever provided free tea and coffee..ooh wait apart from an ultra-trendy media place i worked for for a while in Curtain Road. Yes, i was a Hoxton fin!! grin In my interview a plesant looking lad of about 14 popped in - dressed in combats and trendy tee and trainers - quite a nice face but a bit spotty. He asked if i would like a tea or coffee. I thanked him and after he left asked my interviewer who the nice drink-provider was. "That was the MD" she said. grin Lovely place, good pay and perks, nice people - shame the job didn't work out (the project folded). All achingly trendy - you would have loved it.! tongue

Btw - peeps in general - i have writtten this (for me) ultra-long reply hoping it will help peeps in general not just John. (not the tea and trendy story obv. )

Good luck with this steven - let us all know how it goes.

Love

LW X

#14

Lone Wolf

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Feb 8 2007 19:55

steven

Hmm no acknowledgement for my above lengthy post yet even tho you were actively seeking advice...

Have i thrown you with my business-speak or are you focussing on practicing my tips ready for yer meeting???

Love

LW X

#15

Lone Wolf

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Feb 10 2007 22:40

#16

steven

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Feb 12 2007 17:44

Lone Wolf wrote:

S
:SAD:

Sorry i was off sick, then libcom got blocked from work.

I think if I said which of those 8 should I prioritise it's basically saying that I could accept them, I can't really entertain that prospect.

My manager's a good bloke yeah, he has to try to impose them from these outside consultants alongside top management.

The free tea and coffee went without a fight, I never used it anyway. It was pretty much accepted as a necessity.

Cheers for the feedback, I'll let people know what goes down!

#17

Lone Wolf

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Feb 12 2007 19:24

steven wrote:

Lone Wolf wrote:

S
:SAD:

:?

Sorry i was off sick, then libcom got blocked from work.

OK fair dos, cheers for the apology - libcom blocked at work??? sounds like very bad news for you..hope that doesn't stay a permanent state of affairs...

I think if I said which of those 8 should I prioritise it's basically saying that I could accept them, I can't really entertain that prospect.

Yeah i know where you are coming from - you just wanna say you resist them and thats that. I understand. I am only saying that this is a technique you can use if you wish to "fight fire with fire" and use the ideas and language of business to oppose the cuts demanded by the business. Its kinda like a transitional demand IFYSWIM...you are asking for what can't be done i.e. them to chose 5 out of the 8 when you know they want/need all 8 - but by facing them with the plain rationality of your limited time you question their very raison-d'etre.. (thats prolly not spelt right...) Its just another way to oppose/resist but its a bit sneaky and i guessed it wouldn't be your cup of tea (that is if they still provided it - ha!!).. i just like having fun with these people sometimes but again if he is a nice guy that would be harder...

My manager's a good bloke yeah, he has to try to impose them from these outside consultants alongside top management.

Outside consultants - ugh!! that is normally not good news - and your boss being nice makes him pleasanter to deal/work with but harder to have to resist against i think - if you know these impositions aren't of his choosing - a nice boss is a mixed blessing IMHO.

The free tea and coffee went without a fight, I never used it anyway. It was pretty much accepted as a necessity.

Shame.

Cheers for the feedback, I'll let people know what goes down!

Yeah do - apprise us of what is going down, dude!

Love

LW X

#18

steven

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Joined: 31-08-06

Mar 1 2007 19:04

Right I'm only going to talk about the stuff related to the macro level restructuring on this thread now.

There was a big public meeting a couple of weeks ago I missed due to illness, which was advertised on here. From that a demo was organised, which occured last night. There's an article on news about it now, how we stormed the meeting which voted through the cuts - Town hall 'riot' over cuts in Camden.

The demo was small compared to camden's staff and number of council tenants, etc., but it was obvious people were very angry, and people generally are getting more pissed off it seems. I'm also not sure if the unions - mainly Unison - did much to get council tenants and things along, or how much involvement there is from residents groups. There was a disabled woman's group (called WinVisible I think), and a big group from Save Kilburn Grange Play Centre.

apparently nothing like this has happened in years; I met one guy there in my department though who started telling me about how they occupied that hall for 4 days in the 80s, which was cool.

Me and a temp managed to get into the chamber through a back door after we'd all been kicked out by the police before. It was just the two of though in this massive room; i really wanted to start chanting and have to get dragged out, but we just felt a bit silly by then and got surrounded by security quickly, and I was a bit worried the temp could get sacked. Quite glad we didn't make a scene now actually as I saw in the paper they're going to be examining CCTV footage, so hope people don't get in shit about stuff... one woman went buckwild, I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to give her the boot.

The cops tried to get a union rep to pass messages from them and the councillors to us, the pressure had obviously got to him, a couple of people shouted "don't be their tool" and he got annoyed, tried to say he was only passing on the message - that they wouldn't let us all in, just a small group - but he should've just let them tell us. Them getting him to do it was obviously just to calm the situation.

Hopefully we can build from this, I've not been back to the office yet to see what everyone else is saying about it... and I hope I don't get in shit over it.

I'll start a new thread for the more small scale stuff.

If anyone here lives in Camden, btw, or uses any council services please let me know on this thread.

#19

steven

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Joined: 31-08-06

Mar 1 2007 20:23

This is from the local paper:

#20

Jim Clarke

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Mar 1 2007 21:50

steven wrote:

The cops tried to get a union rep to pass messages from them and the councillors to us, the pressure had obviously got to him, a couple of people shouted "don't be their tool" and he got annoyed,

Those people sound cool, I reckon you should occupy the town hall.

#21

steven

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Mar 12 2007 17:40

jimmer wrote:

steven wrote:

The cops tried to get a union rep to pass messages from them and the councillors to us, the pressure had obviously got to him, a couple of people shouted "don't be their tool" and he got annoyed,

Those people sound cool, I reckon you should occupy the town hall.

Hmmm not on the cards right now in the slightest. It could potentially be done by locals, service users affected by the cuts but it seems most of the impetus for resisting is from the union/the workers.

Turns out in the union meeting we only voted for strike action if there were compulsory redundancies, which there aren't right now. The approved ban on overtime, boycott of vacant posts and withdrawal of goodwill wasn't communicated at all well to staff - only a couple of people in my dept are aware of it. I haven't seen any evidence of it being put into practice...

#22

Lazy Riser

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Mar 12 2007 18:34

Quote:

Meanwhile the council's spending a fortune on consultants, temp agency staff and big wages for managers.

Ha ha. I bet those managers belong to the same union as you. You are presumably proposing pay cuts for managers, a freeze on external consultants, and the repayment of commission to temp agencies to fund the posts you propose. I don’t see how overtime bans solve anybodies problems, also we need to answer the question of how to withdraw good will from management without alienating customers.

Love

#23

steven

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Mar 12 2007 20:28

Lazy Riser wrote:

Hi
Quote:

Meanwhile the council's spending a fortune on consultants, temp agency staff and big wages for managers.

Ha ha. I bet those managers belong to the same union as you.

Probably, I don't see that this matters much.

Quote:

You are presumably proposing pay cuts for managers, a freeze on external consultants, and the repayment of commission to temp agencies to fund the posts you propose.

I'm a worker, it's not my business to be running the place. You can't manage capitalist organisations within a capitalist society in workers' interests, so I just try to advance the interests of me, other members of staff and service users.

Basically the council's not short of money anyway, it has cash reserves of over £90m and it got the biggest increase in central govt funding of any london borough - 6.2%.

Even if there were a shortfall ultimately it's gotta come from central government anyway, which pisses away billions on arms, ID cards and the like.

Quote:

I don’t see how overtime bans solve anybodies problems, also we need to answer the question of how to withdraw good will from management without alienating customers.

Yeah the latter is important. But at the moment any largescale action which would inconvenience the public's not really on the horizon anyway.

#24

Lazy Riser

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Mar 12 2007 21:14

Quote:

I'm a worker, it's not my business to be running the place.

Doomed. If I have to quote Reich one more time on this forum. I swear. Meaningful action.

Reich wrote:

Don't run away. Don't be afraid. It is not so terrible to be the responsible bearer of human society.

Like I said on “Defend the NHS”, it’s the not-my-job-attitude that’s responsible for the dire state of, ironically named, public services. Not the ideological peccadilloes of the elite.

Love

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