Union awaiting a response to these talks but there are no indications that a positive response will be forthcoming

27 April 2010

Last ditch talks took place last night between GMB officers and senior officers Culture and Sport Glasgow (CSG) in an attempt to avert a stoppage by 350 GMB members employed by CSG who will join with union members of Unite, Unison and Bectu in a strike on Friday 30 April called in protest at their employer's continued attacks on their pay and conditions.

The 24 hour strike which will commence at 00.01 hours on 30 April will affect private functions, sporting events, concerts and theatre performances across the City. 1,400 workers are employed by CSG, an arms length organisation set up by Glasgow City Council, in about 70 locations in public leisure centres, swimming pools, libraries, museums and theatres in Glasgow.

GMB members voted to take strike action to stop the employer reducing weekly working hours from 37 to 35 with a loss of 6% in pay, the downgrading jobs with loss of pay between £500 and £2,000 per year and the ending of paying premium rates for working on 6 public holidays. The 6 holidays where working will now be paid at single time are Easter Monday, Mayday Monday, Spring Bank Holiday, Fairs Friday in July, August Bank holiday and the September holiday.

Frank Doran GMB officer for members at CSG said "I had talks last night with senior officers of CSG in a last ditch attempt to find a compromise to allow the strike on April 30th to be suspended. I am awaiting a response to these talks. I have no indication that a positive response will be forthcoming.

All four unions are working very closely on this and this close working will continue.

This situation in the culture and sports arm of Glasgow City Council is a wash up from the ideas of ex council leader Stephen Purcell which is ending badly for 1,400 public sector workers who were promised that their terms and conditions would be safeguarded. The silence from political circles in the City at these broken pledges is deafening"