Newham Council backs down

Swift action by Newham UNISON has seen Newham Council back down over plans to consider withdrawing from the National Joint Council (NJC).

Councillors had informed UNISON that, due to ongoing financial pressures, they were reviewing all options to manage costs, including the potential withdrawal from NJC terms and conditions.

The local UNISON branch responded immediately, setting out the union’s firm position and explaining the serious implications such a move would have for staff. Following these discussions, the Council has confirmed that it will not pursue any plans to withdraw from the NJC.

In addition, the Council had been considering removing the three additional days’ leave that staff currently receive over the Christmas period and requiring staff to use annual leave instead. This proposal has also been scrapped following UNISON’s intervention.

This outcome demonstrates the importance of swift, collective action and strong union representation in defending members’ terms and conditions.