RCT Council Staff Are Being Treated with Contempt

It was hardly surprising to learn earlier this month that council workers at RCT are being balloted over possible strike action.

The local authority has sought to pressurise the lowest-paid workers into accepting reduced terms that will see them bearing the brunt of the budget deficit.

Many people are surprised that a Labour-controlled council is behaving in such an unfair way because it is very reminiscent of how the Con/Dems in Westminster under David Cameron are seeking to make the most vulnerable pick up the pieces.

Cardiff Council and Caerphilly Council have both made savings by tackling pay in the upper echelons of the local authority – I have seen very little evidence that this approach is being taken in RCT.

Weekend enhancements and mileage rates have been targeted and this will result in some staff on the lowest pay grades losing 40% of their income. This is plainly not a fair way to tackle the budget deficit and I urge the council to step back from their stubborn stance and seek a more equitable method of tackling their financial woes.

I am sure that workers will send a resounding message to the council's bigwigs about the unfairness of the proposed downgrading of terms and conditions at a rally planned for this Saturday in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd. I will be there supporting Council workers.

Inspiration from Mountain Ash Comprehensive School

I've just got back from doing a debate at Mountain Ash Comp with Christine Chapman AM. It was really great to meet so many young people interested in their communities and with ideas about the future. We talked a fair deal about the referendum but I was particularly interested in the work done in groups afterwards on their priorities for the next five years.

The legislative programme of the students would include:
* Extending the Education Maintenance Allowance to all 16 and 17 year olds in education.
* Nationalising the Railways
* Improving the Buses (we talked to them about re-regulation)
* Improving sports facilities in the Cynon Valley
* Tackling problems associated with bad weather including better provision of grit bins
* Job and Wealth Creation
and finally
* Including the Welsh Dragon on the Union Flag.

The debate was lively particularly around the costs of extending the EMA and its possible consequent reduction in value, but the students were engaged and anxious to play a part in Welsh politics. Both Chris and I really enjoyed the discussion and it gives a lot of hope for the future!

The best news of all was that all the students there were absolutely committed to voting in the referendum on March 3rd.