Council strike: support it or not?

steady__eddie

Go for it, does the fact that they send you a bill and you pay in monthly instalments constitute a contract or is it merely an invitation to treat ?
Presumably, if it were a commercial contract, it would have some small print somewhere concerning frustration due to civil unrest, STRIKE ACTION, etc. but I haven't seen anything on my Council tax demand.
Seeing as how the amount concerned per household is not life-changing, I would advise a claim through the small claims court (and don't forget to claim for costs).

I'mcomingbackasaman

steady__eddie wrote:

I would advise a claim through the small claims court (and don't forget to claim for costs).

Small claims is about right I've just worked out how much a days Council Tax would be. They're striking, because the goalposts have been moved, like anyone else would/should in that situation otherwise they get walked all over don't think I'd be too happy if I had to work an extra five years. No point having a pension if your too kernackered to draw it!!

Snapelover

I'mcomingbackasaman wrote:

They're striking, because the goalposts have been moved, like anyone else would/should in that situation otherwise they get walked all over don't think I'd be too happy if I had to work an extra five years. No point having a pension if your too kernackered to draw it!!

I appreciate that but the fact that I've had 6 black bin bags full of rubbish lying in my garden for up to four weeks is NOT on. No word of a lie but I've seen mice in my garden! Why should I contribute to my local council for that? It's 2006 - thought we were passed all that plague stuff!

Alleycat

Snapelover wrote:

What I am saying is:

I paid full council tax for 2005/06. For one day (the day of the strike) we did not get any local government services (including missing out on a refuse collection) - so by rights we should get a refund in our council tax for 2005/06.

I think you will find that there were plenty of local government services paid for by your council tax that were still running. Albeit some with limited staff, but not everyone went on strike. Myself, I can't afford to lose a days pay and if/when the next strike happens will be at work if I am due in that day.

Why is it always focussed on the poor bin men anyway? Just because you didn't need to contact other services on the day of the strike, doesn't mean they weren't open and operating a service.

Alleycat

Snapelover wrote:

I appreciate that but the fact that I've had 6 black bin bags full of rubbish lying in my garden for up to four weeks is NOT on. No word of a lie but I've seen mice in my garden! Why should I contribute to my local council for that? It's 2006 - thought we were passed all that plague stuff!

But this is the point of a strike, to inconvenience services that are usually operating on that day. It would be pointless for people to take strike action if everything carried on as normal.

P.S. It would take about 4 weeks for my family to fill one wheelie bin.

Snapelover

Alleycat wrote:

Why is it always focussed on the poor bin men anyway? Just because you didn't need to contact other services on the day of the strike, doesn't mean they weren't open and operating a service.

I focused on that point because that is what affected me. Also, the fact that I had my two children at home missing out on yet another day's education - but that's not a health and safety issue is it?

Alleycat

Snapelover wrote:

I focused on that point because that is what affected me. Also, the fact that I had my two children at home missing out on yet another day's education - but that's not a health and safety issue is it?

Sorry, I don't understand the health and safety bit? Did you mean that having your children at home was a H&S issue, or them not being allowed to go to school?

Snapelover

Alleycat wrote:

Sorry, I don't understand the health and safety bit? Did you mean that having your children at home was a H&S issue, or them not being allowed to go to school?

The rubbish :rolleyes:

Poppy9

Personally I wouldn't leave such large amounts of rubbish in my garden for more than 1 day let alone 4 weeks. You have to take some responsibilty for your own and neighbours H&S too. If my neighbour piled up such a large of amount of rubbish, even if caused by industrial action, I would ask them to take it to the local tip. I agree 6 bags of rubbish is a lot of waste to generate from just one missed collection. I put out just 1 small black bag per week. I try to recycle most of my rubbish.

I too cannot afford to lose a days pay. However if further strike action arranged I will stand with my colleagues who are prepared to stand up for what they believe is right and just. I know there are others in work worst off than me who won't hestitate to strike even if both husband and wife are council workers. If there is hardship due to strike action you can apply to the union for money.

Snapelover

Poppy9 wrote:

Personally I wouldn't leave such large amounts of rubbish in my garden for more than 1 day let alone 4 weeks. You have to take some responsibilty for your own and neighbours H&S too. .

Please see one of my previous posts on this subject - No. 75.

I too cannot afford to lose a days pay. However if further strike action arranged I will stand with my colleagues who are prepared to stand up for what they believe is right and just. I know there are others in work worst off than me who won't hestitate to strike even if both husband and wife are council workers. If there is hardship due to strike action you can apply to the union for money.

But would you think about the people you had affected on the previous strike and demand to strike on a different weekday or wouldn't it bother you?:undecided