Unions must stand up to Labour Councils

Grangetown Jack  has recently Blogged on the disgraceful attitude to Labour led  Bridgend Council towards its workforce ,who are  following  Labour Controlled  R.C.T  and Neath Port Talbot, in implementing  changes towards its workforce, which must make Tory  Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Erik Pickles, wish the English councils for which he is responsible would follow suit.

Why is it Labour Councils who are behaving this way ?
Could it be that thy feel that the Unions like the GMB will bluster and condemn such moves will not condemn the Labour Part for carrying out such cuts?.

In February  there was a Union led Rally in Pontypridd against the cuts proposed by the Labour controlled council which I blogged on here. 

As I commented at the time the only Politician allowed to address us at the ticket only meeting.was  Labour's Candidate for the Pontypridd seat Mick Antoniw. who managed to address us on a protest on the attack on the work force of Labour controlled R.C.T. without once mentioning them. A remarkable feat and it was a generous audience who allowed him to do this.

If Plaid had been in control of R.C.T at the time all the Labour  AM's  and MPs who represent the constituencies  of Pontypridd,Rhondda and Cynon Valley would be shouting from the rooftops how Plaid were implementing the Tory cuts and we would have seen the Unions act much more decisively.

Mick Antoniw. subsequently went on to win the seat and now with MP Owen Smith use the GMB Pontypridd HQ as Offices and delights in showing us his Union support

What will the Unions be doing next May.local government  elections?

• Will they be contributing to the Labour expenses in Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and R.C.T.?
• Will their Offices have posters calling on us to vote for the Party that has so disgracefully treated their Members?
• Will Labour candidates, who as councillors voted for these measures proudly boast of their Union credentials?

In next May local government ,I expect Labour to make big gains in Wales  on a campaign berating the ConLibDem coalition for making cuts and are likely to regain full control of councils such as Blaneau Gwent, Torfaen ,Caerphilly  and Swansea and maybe even Cardiff.. And will probably base much of their campaign in Wales against London Cuts in the safe knowledge the Unions will not speak out  on the gross hypocricy of "Welsh" Labour.and unless Plaid up their game, will get away with it.

If I was an already low paid worker on these councils I would be very worried indeed..