Workers at Lewisham Council in south east London are to vote in a formal strike ballot after council managers moved to dismiss several employees, including both of Lewisham UNISON’s joint branch secretaries.
Justine Canady is on full-time release for union activities. But the council has moved to delete her substantive post (in fostering recruitment) and is insisting that, without a substantive post, she will be removed as branch secretary as well. This contravenes previous practice.
Jay Kidd-Morton, also joint branch secretary, is facing dismissal alongside the rest of her (overwhelmingly Black and Asian) team in the legal services department, despite no allegation of wrongdoing.
The moves to sack the pair come following the announcement in June of £25m of cuts by council managers.
Notice of a strike ballot was formally served by UNISON on Lewisham Council on Tuesday. The ballot will run from 27th August until 24th September, with strike action taking place from mid-October.
Because of the Trade Union Act 2016 (which the new government has promised to repeal) more than 50% of Lewisham UNISON’s members will have to vote in order for the strike ballot to take effect.
Ed Whitby, a member of UNISON’s Local Government Service Group Executive, said:
“It is embarrassing that senior managers in Lewisham Council are willing to put the delivery of local services at risk in order to pursue a cynical and petty union-busting agenda. On the eve of making £25m of cuts, they decided to sack both of their main trade union reps.
“UNISON will not allow activists to be victimised in this way. Lewisham is an almost 100% Labour Council. Every single one of Lewisham’s councillors has a duty to intervene now, to ensure that these sackings are rescinded.”
