Immediate Release
Item Number 94/02

UNISON’s local government members in London have voted for strike action as part of their campaign to increase the level of London Weighting on Tuesday 14th May.

In response Merton’s Chief Executive Roger Paine said: “We value our employees and appreciate the unique difficulties of living and working in London. However, as a Council, we rely heavily on funding from the Government and are already stretched in terms of finance and resource.

‘Trade unions are demanding a London Weighting payment of £4000 per employee. To pay for this, Merton would have to make considerable savings elsewhere; this could ultimately result in cuts to jobs and services or increasing council tax.

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Notes To The Editor

Industrial action will disrupt council services affecting some members of the public. The majority of services will be operating on a reduced service. The Council has made the arrangements for the following services:

Merton Link and the Council offices: Will be open as usual, but there will be a reduced service with severe delays.

Refuse and recycling: All refuse and recycling collections scheduled for Tuesday onwards may be made one day later than normal.

Home Sales section and the Mascot Emergency Alarm system will be operating as normal.

The District Housing Offices will also be open to answer telephone and personal enquiries, although working with fewer staff than normal. The repairs service will be available, but rotas for cleaning on some estates may be disrupted on the day.

The homelessness and lettings services will operate with fewer staff, which could result in delays before people are seen.

Finance: Taxation, Housing Benefit, Cashiers and the Council’s Postroom – will all provide a limited service – there will be longer waiting times at Merton Link and on
answering calls

For more information please visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/strike or call 020 8543 2222.

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