Union criticises Wirral Council for banning leisure petitions in workplaces

Jan 7 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A UNION has criticised Wirral Council for banning petitions from closure-threatened libraries and leisure centres.

Two weeks ago the News reported staff were unhappy managers had warned them to stay out of the furore over plans to close 14 libraries and three sports centres in a controversial strategic asset review.

Wirral Council said staff were free to sign or organise petitions outside work hours - but acknowledged workers had been told to decline petition requests from worried members on council premises.

Unison described the measures as “draconian”.

Branch secretary Joe Taylor said: “Unison and its members have the right to campaign within the workplace. We circulated our petitions in the workplace for workers and the public to sign, to defend cuts in jobs and services in Wirral.

“If any Unison members are issued with disciplinary notices we will defend their and our right to campaign in the workplace and, if necessary, after consultation with the membership, go into dispute over this issue.”

Special area forum meetings to discuss the closure proposals are being held across the borough this week.

The meetings took place in Birkenhead and Port Sunlight on Monday and Tuesday and continue at West Kirby Concourse tonight (Wednesday) from 7pm and on Thursday at the Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, starting at 7pm.