Gagged (From Stroud News and Journal)

Gagged

FURIOUS opposition councillors say they were 'gagged' during a debate on the increasingly bitter industrial dispute at Stroud District Council.

Tempers flared when opposition groups were banned from speaking at an urgent meeting they called to discuss the deepening crisis over pay and conditions.

There were angry outbursts when the majority Conservative group voted to halt the discussion after just 40 minutes - before Lib Dems and Independent councillors had had the opportunity to speak. Only Labour and Greens managed to speak.

"We've been gagged," said Cllr Paul Smith (Lib Dem, Wotton-under-Edge).

"Democracy has just gone out the window."

The public gallery was packed with striking employees and UNISON officials - who represent around half the authority's 615 staff - and there was a picket line outside.

The drama started when Cllr John Fowles (Lab, Cam West) put forward a motion calling for council leader Chas Fellows (Cons, Chalford) to answer questions and negotiate with UNISON.

"No other council in the area has had this problem," said Cllr Fowles. "Our staff are not unreasonable.

"They have no history of causing trouble.

"In fact, we have excellent staff who deserve to be treated as well if not better than staff elsewhere."

But his request was defeated by the Conservatives, who voted to freeze the discussion.

Cllr Fellows accused opposition groups of using the strike as 'a political football'.

He refused to answer questions while the matter is being investigated by the council's scrutiny committee.

Cllr Fellows added that there is no legal requirement for a company to have an appeals procedure during a restructuring process.

He also condemned opposition councillors for talking to picketing staff.

The row began when staff were told to sign new contracts or face dismissal, resulting in two one-day strikes and other industrial action.

Opposition groups called Wednesday's extraordinary meeting to discuss events leading up to the strike action and debate a solution.

Labour, Lib Dem, Green and Independent members say it is time for politicians to get involved as public services are being affected.

They claim to have been kept in the dark by the Conservative cabinet.

But council leaders say the dispute is an internal human resources matter for senior officers to deal with.