A ballot for strike action over two compulsory redundancies at Kirklees Council has been lost.
And it’s believed to be the first time Kirklees Unison has lost a ballot of its kind.
Turnout is not yet known, but last night it emerged members voted 56.7% to 43.3% not to strike.
Paul Holmes, Branch Secretary described the result as disappointing and said: “At the end of the day, 43% of our members voted for all-out strike action and the size of that “dissatisfied” group will only grow with future attacks.”
He blamed the media and politicians “almost constant, incessant calls for more austerity” which has affected the mood of members.
“People are constantly being told that “you’re lucky to have a job”.
“It is sad that Kirklees Council felt the need to make two low-paid staff redundant when, within four months of the redundancies, the council has advertised 100 vacancies in jobs in schools that would have been suitable for the two workers made compulsorily redundant.”
He believes employers are trying to frighten employees and cut terms and conditions by using the economic downturn as a weapon.
Mr Holmes added: “It is a sad day for the union but we will recover.
“I have no doubt, whatsoever, that the council will come back for more.”
The ballot was prompted by events in January when two female workers at Ashbrow Junior School were made compulsorily redundant.
It prompted Kirklees Unison to ballot its 6,500 members to consider industrial action.
Unison claimed that a council which underspent last year should not be making low-paid part-time workers redundant.
But top Kirklees officials spoke out, with the council’s chief executive spending thousands writing to every staff member urging them to vote. It was a move branded “a waste of money” by one member.
Chief Executive Adrian Lythgo said: “I'm committed to keep improving communication and engagement with our staff throughout this difficult time. I look forward to working positively and well with all our trade unions to protect as many jobs and services as we can. My focus will always be providing the best possible services for our residents and to do that we need to support and talk with our staff.”
Yesterday Unison members at the National Coal Mining Museum voted unanimously to accept a two-year pay deal.
The employer, a not-for-profit organisation, proposed a 1% pay increase in April.
Following “constructive and positive” negotiations, Unison developed and submitted a counter pay claim worth more than double what was originally on the table.
Members voted to accept a 1% for 2012/13 backdated to 1 April 2012 and a further 1% for 2013/14 backdated to 1 April 2013.