The Labour council in Newham, east London, has launched an attack against the borough branch of the public service Unison. The mayor of Newham, Robin Wales, is also the chair of the all-London association of local government employers.
Latest news is that the council has backed down a bit, and negotiations are under way.
Its first moves, however, were listed as follows in a motion from Newham Unison to the union's London Regional Council on 30 January.
"A reduction in full-time branch officers from three to just one...
"Move to a tiny office which is situated in the Council's main Human Resources section.
"A 'no criticism of the Council' pledge".
When Newham Unison members rejected those moves, the council said it will withdraw all facilities from the union.
Newham Unison members voted 93% in favour of defending their branch in a consultative ballot. A ballot on industrial action was under discussion before the recent move to negotiations.
