Swansea
Council has asked conciliation service Acas
to help to resolve the increasingly bitter industrial dispute with its IT staff.
The
council made the request following a series of informal talks with Unison,
designed to bring a resolution to the strike – now into its fifth week.
During
the latest set of talks held on Wednesday, the council asked union leaders to
agree to go to conciliation. It is hoped that the conciliatory talks can begin
this week.
Chris
Holley, council leader, said, “The council feels its proposals provide
assurances for IT staff and Unison. However, to make progress, the council
believes the time is right for a third party to assist in resolving this
dispute.
“The
council is determined to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.”
News
that the council has called in Acas
came as Unison began sending out ballot papers today to 5,000 of its members at
the council in support of the striking IT workers. If the vote gets the thumbs up
it could see an escalation in industrial action and could cripple essential
services in Swansea.
