Croydon council’s payroll team to strike after agreement falls through
Union members in a council’s payroll department have voted to strike over a proposed restructure after an agreement with the council fell through.
The payroll department of Croydon council plan to strike from April 19 over a restructure which would leave a quarter of the team out of a job.
GMB met with representatives from the council’s HR department on March 29, an agreement was reached but no progress has been made since.
The council’s plan would see three staff made redundant, with those impacted likely to be women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, which the union believe to be discriminatory. The council refutes this claim.
GMB have explained that the council is yet to act on grievances submitted by the staff and has not replied to their counter-proposals.
The strike action is scheduled to last for two weeks, with a potential further course of action to last six months.
Rachael Baylis, GMB Organising Assistant said: “GMB members at Croydon council have had enough of their jobs, pay, terms and conditions being the first thing to get attacked when the local authority is facing financial crisis.
“Not only this, but there has been a gross failure by management to address the very serious grievances put in by our members regarding alleged bullying, harassment, racism, and numerous other forms of discrimination.”
When the payroll staff were to be balloted for strike action, a Croydon council spokeswoman said: “The council needs to make difficult but necessary decisions to address its financial challenges and to become smaller, more efficient and financially sustainable for the future.
“The council has been consulting with payroll employees on proposals to restructure the team. All feedback from affected employees has been fully considered and the council will continue to update affected employees on the progress of the consultation.”
Croydon council has been approached for further comment.
Pictured top: Croydon council offices (Picture: Tara O’Connor)