Meeting halted after West Dunbartonshire councillors stay out

Oct 3 2008 by Laura McLachlan, Lennox Herald (main ed)

COUNCILLORS united in support of a 24-hour council strike last week – with all elected members refusing to cross a picket line.

West Dunbartonshire’s 22 SNP, Labour, Socialist and Independent councillors did not step over the workers’ picket line at Garshake offices last Wednesday, forcing the September full council meeting to be abandoned.

The strike was part of a national pay dispute which has already seen council workers reject what they argue is a “derisory” 2.5 per cent pay rise offered by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

It followed industrial action in August which caused West Dunbartonshire Council to close schools to pupils, while teachers worked in empty classrooms.

SNP Councillor Ronnie McColl said his group was happy to support council workers and their right to strike action.

He said: “This was a national strike and the workers have every right to express their concerns and try to improve conditions.”

There was doubt over whether councillors would cross the picket line and enter the building to deal with the council’s monthly business, as scheduled.

Martin Rooney, leader of the Labour group, said: “We had requested special dispensation from the trade unions to cross the picket line in the event that the SNP did. But we decided we weren’t going to cross.”

Other Labour councillors, including John Millar, Geoff Calvert and David McBride, mingled with workers outside the council HQ, while council leader Iain Robertson was also in attendance.

George Black and Jim Bollan also showed their support for workers, and union leaders were delighted to have the support of councillors across the political spectrum.

Duncan Borland, of GMB, said: “We are pleased the councillors chose not to cross the line but this meeting could have been cancelled. The one in August was brought forward.”

Unison branch convener Denise McLafferty added: “We’re delighted at how the strike has gone and pleased that SNP and Labour ended up not going into the meeting. This was a legitimate picket and they respected that.”