IMPACT has recommended that local authority staff back industrial action in a ballot over a management decision to open all promotional posts to external competition from next month. Right now, 80% of vacancies must be filled by competitions confined to clerical and admin staff, library workers, and analogous grades.

The move follows a unilateral announcement last month that management intends to abandon the ‘common recruitment pool’ agreement without even discussing it with staff representatives. IMPACT’s Local Government division ordered the ballot at a special meeting called to respond to the edict.

IMPACT national secretary Peter Nolan said that, unless it was resisted, the change would reduce the chances of promotion for the majority of local authority staff. “This would severely restrict promotion opportunities for IMPACT members who have helped local authorities to weather the most difficult decade in their history,” he said.

The division is also running a separate ballot over a management decision to change library qualifications, again without any discussion with the union.

The ballots are being conducted by local branches, who have been asked to submit results to head office by 21^st December. Members should contact their local branch for details of voting arrangements.