Further strikes loom at Notting Hill

Trade union members at Notting Hill Housing Group are set to go on strike for two more days and will hold lunchtime demonstrations outside the group’s west London headquarters.

Staff went on strike on 15 March over the reductions in redeployment and relocation benefits, carers leave and changes to flexitime, which were introduced on 1 March. The union is now holding further demonstrations and has planned additional strikes.

Colin Inniss, regional organiser for Unison, said: ‘We are very disappointed. I think it shows a lack of understanding of the real difficulties the Notting Hill staff are facing because of those changes particularly on carers leave. I cannot believe the organisation cannot afford £40,000 a year to pay carers leave which it cost in 2008/09.’

No date has been set for the further strike dates but they are likely to take place in May.

A spokesperson for Notting Hill said: ‘To date, 97 per cent of all Notting Hill staff have signed their contracts of employment and we continue to meet individually with staff who have not signed to listen to their concerns and try to find a working arrangement that suits them within the framework of the new terms and conditions.’

She said Unison had told the organisation there would be a series of lunchtime protests this week. She added: ‘The protest is about changes to staff terms and conditions and Notting Hill respects the right of individuals to protest.’

She said there had been about a dozen members of staff protesting during Tuesday lunchtime at any one time. Unison also said there were about 12 protesters at any given point as staff take their lunch break on shifts.