More than 3,000 council staff may go on strike next month in protest against a longer working week.

Ealing Council is hoping to introduce a common 36-hour week for all its workers except teachers who are exempt from the government's new guidelines.

But 60 per cent of council staff currently work a 35-hour week, and are not happy about the proposed changes that do not involve a corresponding pay-rise.

There are also proposals to make staff work weekends as if they are normal working days 'where there is a proven business case', which unions again find unacceptable.

'We are still exploring the position with the council,' said Ealing Branch Unison secretary, Chris Morey. 'But they talk about changes in the length of the working day and week 'as service needs require', what does that mean?

'That gives the council the right to change conditions of service unilaterally without negotiation.

'Our preferred option is a negotiated settlement.'

But a spokeswoman for Harrow Council said that some lower paid staff would get holiday increases, and all staff were to get 20 hours a year for training, which would off-set the hundreds of extra hours of work the new proposals would demand.

'We understand people have concerns, but we are saying these changes will only happen where they will benefit the community,' said the spokeswoman.

'We don't have a choice about this, we have to bring in the national guidelines.'

A meeting between union representatives from Unison and GMB and council officers will take place at the end of this week, after which a strike ballot will be held if an agreement has not been reached.

'The two sides are still a long way away, and we are proceeding to a strike ballot, which on current plans will take place some time in May,' said Mr Morey.

BY SOPHIE KIRKHAM

æskirkham@london.newsquest.co.uk

More than 3,000 council staff may go on strike next month in protest against a longer working week.

Ealing Council is hoping to introduce a common 36-hour week for all its workers except teachers who are exempt from the Government's new guidelines.

But 60 per cent of council staff currently work a 35-hour week, and are not happy about the proposed changes that do not involve a corresponding pay-rise.

There are also proposals to make staff work weekends as if they are normal working days 'where there is a proven business case', which unions again find unacceptable.

'We are still exploring the position with the council,' said Ealing branch Unison secretary, Chris Morey. 'But they talk about changes in the length of the working day and week 'as service needs require', what does that mean?

'That gives the council the right to change conditions of service unilaterally without negotiation.

'Our preferred option is a negotiated settlement.'

But a spokeswoman for Ealing Council said that some lower paid staff would get holiday increases, and all staff were to get 20 hours a year for training, which would offset the hundreds of extra hours of work the new proposals would demand.

'We understand people have concerns, but we are saying these changes will only happen where they will benefit the community,' said the spokeswoman.

'We don't have a choice about this, we are obliged to bring in the national guidelines.'

A meeting between union representatives from Unison and GMB and council officers will take place at the end of this week, after which a strike ballot will be held if an agreement has not been reached.

'The two sides are still a long way away, and we are proceeding to a strike ballot, which on current plans will take place some time in May,' said Mr Morey.