Bristol libraries staff strike over antisocial shift patterns

Picket lines will be in operation between 09:00 and 10:30 at Fishponds, Central, Bedminster, Henleaze and Redland libraries.

Bristol Trades Union Council urges all trade unionists to support the pickets and join the “solidarity picnic” with supporters on College Green from 12 noon.

A leaflet explaining the reasons for the strike can be found here Why are Bristol Library Assistants on Strike?

Library assistants working for Bristol City council voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over antisocial work patterns which will result in library staff, mostly women, working over more days for less pay. Library workers will be forced to spend more time and money travelling while having less opportunity to see their families or take a second job to make ends meet.

UNISON members voted four to one (almost 80%) in favour of strike action in an effort to get the Council to think again.

Steve Crawshaw, UNISON Bristol branch secretary said:

“Taking strike action is a last resort for us. UNISON has raised members concerns at every stage of the process but the changes are being steamrollered through. Members have had to sign up to these new shift patterns because in this economic climate they need the work, but the situation can’t continue any more”.