City council trade unions support staff gag

bristol | local government | news report Friday August 27, 2010 11:51 by Bristol IWW - Bristol IWW bristoliww at riseup dot net 07506 592180

The sell-outs sell-out again

On Thursday 2 September the city council's Human Resources Committee will meet to agree that an internet gagging clause be added to their staff Code of Conduct. This gagging clause is supported by the council's recognised trade unions, notably the T&G, Unison and the GMB.

The clauses in question are these:

11.3.2 Social networking websites
...

The Council respects an employee's private life. However, it must also ensure that confidentiality and it's reputation are protected. Employees using social networking websites in their private life;

must refrain from identifying themselves as working for the Council, or disclose the name of Bristol City Council on it, or allow it to be identified by details, which has or may have the effect of bringing the Council into disrepute.

 must not identify other Council employees or service users without their consent

 must not make any defamatory remarks about the Council, it's service users, employees or managers or conduct themselves in a way that is detrimental to the Council

 disclose personal data or information about the Council,or it's service users, employees or managers that could breach the Data Protection Act 1998.(e.g photographs, images)

11.3.3 Personal Websites and Blogs

Employees who wish to set up personal webforums, weblogs or 'blogs' must do so outside of work, not use city council equipment and adhere to the points detailed in 11.3.2 above. Any breach of 11.3.2 or 11.3.3 whether nor not committed within work time and/or premises, could lead to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

This means:

staff can be SACKED for mentioning BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL on the internet.

staff can be SACKED for stating they work for BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL on the internet.

staff can be SACKED for discussing "DETAILS" relating to BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL on the internet.

staff can be SACKED for NAMING employees of BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL on the internet.

staff can be SACKED for any remarks perceived as NEGATIVE about BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL on the internet.

This will make it impossible for city council staff to engage in legitimate trade union and political activity on the internet.

AND LOCAL TRADE UNIONS HAVE AGREED TO THIS!!!

How very convenient as we potentially enter an unprecedented period of social and political unrest.

But don't expect the old unions to help!