19/8/2008Council industrial action Wednesday 20 August - service disruption
Fife Council services will be disrupted on Wednesday 20 August due to industrial action called by three trades unions. Many council buildings will be closed to the public. We apologise for any inconvenience to the public.
As decisions are taken to close any buildings, details will be posted online
Schools
Teachers aren't affected by the strike, but many education assistants, catering and janitorial staff will be.
We will keep schools open wherever possible, but it will be up to each head teacher to decide on Tuesday whether they will have enough staff to open as normal on Wednesday. Schools will let parents know as early as possible on Tuesday whether they will be affected by the industrial action.
If a school has to close it will use the same emergency communications as in severe weather. If you haven't already registered to receive text or email alerts about school closures you can sign up now at www.fifedirect.org.uk/closures
Contacting the council
On Wednesday customers won't be able to contact us using our normal telephone numbers. If at all possible please wait until Thursday to get in touch, when we will be able to handle your enquiry as normal.
In an emergency you can call Fife Council on 08451 55 00 99.
Most Local Services Centres, libraries, community centres etc will be closed. We will confirm all building closures through the emergency closures page of fifedirect. This information will also be sent out to the local media and radio stations. Any Local Services Centres that are able to remain open for business will be listed here.
There may be some disruptions to leisure services supplied by Fife Sports & Leisure Trust, which we hope will be kept to a minimum. The Trust is advising customers that some facilities may be closed or operating a reduced service.
Services for vulnerable people
Fife Council is negotiating a number of exemptions to the industrial action with the trades unions. Details of service areas where the unions have agreed to exclude calling staff out to strike will be confirmed on Tuesday morning. As far as possible we will maintain services for the most vulnerable people in our society. The same emergency number, 08451 55 00 99 can also be used if necessary.
Bin collections
There will be no refuse collections on Wednesday. See separate news story on s1culross about disruptions to bin collection schedules.
What is the strike about?
The trades unions have been negotiating a national pay deal for single status council employees. Single status refers to the type of contract that most council workers are on. The exceptions are senior managers, teachers and trades people.
COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities), on behalf of all Scottish councils, has offered a pay rise of 2.5% in each of the next three years. This is COSLA's final offer to the unions because it is as much as councils can afford.
UNISON, Unite and GMB have rejected this offer and, following a ballot of their members, have called this industrial action.
As decisions are taken to close any buildings, details will be posted online
Schools
Teachers aren't affected by the strike, but many education assistants, catering and janitorial staff will be.
We will keep schools open wherever possible, but it will be up to each head teacher to decide on Tuesday whether they will have enough staff to open as normal on Wednesday. Schools will let parents know as early as possible on Tuesday whether they will be affected by the industrial action.
If a school has to close it will use the same emergency communications as in severe weather. If you haven't already registered to receive text or email alerts about school closures you can sign up now at www.fifedirect.org.uk/closures
Contacting the council
On Wednesday customers won't be able to contact us using our normal telephone numbers. If at all possible please wait until Thursday to get in touch, when we will be able to handle your enquiry as normal.
In an emergency you can call Fife Council on 08451 55 00 99.
Most Local Services Centres, libraries, community centres etc will be closed. We will confirm all building closures through the emergency closures page of fifedirect. This information will also be sent out to the local media and radio stations. Any Local Services Centres that are able to remain open for business will be listed here.
There may be some disruptions to leisure services supplied by Fife Sports & Leisure Trust, which we hope will be kept to a minimum. The Trust is advising customers that some facilities may be closed or operating a reduced service.
Services for vulnerable people
Fife Council is negotiating a number of exemptions to the industrial action with the trades unions. Details of service areas where the unions have agreed to exclude calling staff out to strike will be confirmed on Tuesday morning. As far as possible we will maintain services for the most vulnerable people in our society. The same emergency number, 08451 55 00 99 can also be used if necessary.
Bin collections
There will be no refuse collections on Wednesday. See separate news story on s1culross about disruptions to bin collection schedules.
What is the strike about?
The trades unions have been negotiating a national pay deal for single status council employees. Single status refers to the type of contract that most council workers are on. The exceptions are senior managers, teachers and trades people.
COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities), on behalf of all Scottish councils, has offered a pay rise of 2.5% in each of the next three years. This is COSLA's final offer to the unions because it is as much as councils can afford.
UNISON, Unite and GMB have rejected this offer and, following a ballot of their members, have called this industrial action.