Last-ditch effort to avoid mass Hull Council sackings

Employees at Hull Council have voted to reject the latest set of terms and conditions put forward by management, which includes taking a half hour cut in their working week, to help save £2.6m. The council faces a November 29 deadline for when it can impose changes to terms and conditions proposed earlier this year, which were even more strongly opposed.

Unite convenor Peter Schofield – who represents one of four unions at the council – said: “If we can’t get an agreement I think within a week we would be looking at an industrial action ballot.”

But Coun Phil Webster, who will be at today’s meeting, said he did not believe the unions had a mandate for industrial action, but was willing to negotiate.”

He added: “If we are walking along a plank, we are two steps from the edge.”