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What is the most convenient day for visiting a library? Probably
Saturday. But not in Stoke Newington. Or, indeed, anywhere in Hackney.
 Since
November last year the library staff - who provide an extremely valuable service to the
local community and who are not exactly overpaid - have been in dispute with Hackney
Council over the latter's refusal to pay 'enhanced' wages at the weekend. This is in spite
of a preexisting national agreement between the union Unison and local authorities which
emphatically spells out the enhancement (roughly time and a half).
In early July Unison received a proposal from Hackney that normal hours would be worked
between Monday and Friday and that the Council would hire 'casual staff' on Saturdays. The
idea was unanimously rejected on the grounds that this would be insulting to the public.
Furthermore, it transpired at the meeting that Hackney Council's suggestion would
apparently cost more than paying the enhanced salaries. So what is going on in Mare
Street? The dispute will be adjudicated by an industrial tribunal in October, which means
two more months during which schools, playgroups and nurseries, as well as the general
public, will be deprived of Saturday access to the library.
Local residents should write to Council Leader Jules Pipe, c/o Hackney Council, Town Hall,
Mare Street, E8 1EA, and make their views felt about the seemingly obdurate position of
the Council. In the meanwhile, la lutte continue.
Sunstone are solving two problems in one with their six week summer
membership scheme starting 8 July. From just £50, scheme members will be able to enjoy
Sunstone's full range of amenities - including the swimming pool and the complete range of
specialist classes, from yoga and pilates to step and aerobics - and the support and
advice of Sunstone's professional team of instructors, without long term commitment. While
you work on your fitness programme (and you know you should ... ) or pamper yourself in
the salon (because you're worth it), kids from 0-5 can be cared for in the Sunstone creche
(open 9.30 3.30, weekdays) while 6 to 9 year-olds can join in the aerobic fun at
Sunstone's KidZone every Tuesday from 2 -3.30 pm, from 31 July to 27 August.
Issue 12's Crossword winner turned out to be Maria, owner of Helsinki
clothes shop on Church Street which puzzled Maria as she has never completed a crossword
in her life and certainly not the N16 version. So who filled Maria's name and address and
sent it in more interestingly, why? If the solver gets in touch we will be happy to pay
for lunch for two to get to the bottom of this curious affair.
The 393 bus saga drags on. Our spy in Islington Council informs us that
the Council is still consulting residents about the routing of the bus along Highbury New
Park. Apparently they do not expect the phantom vehicle to be in action much before the
New Year. So you're going to have to find your own way to the Holloway Road for the next
few months.
Jules Pipe, currently Council Leader, has received the Labour nomination
for the new post of Mayor of Hackney. Let's hope he'll stand up to the Town Hall Chief
Executive Max Caller and the rest of them behind the closures and cuts afflicting our fair
borough.
Happy Birthday, Stoke Newington Bookshop, 15 years old in
June. The owners Jo and Mark held a party couple of weeks ago to celebrate their relative
longevity on the High Street. Their best-sellers at the moment are, predictably, the Harry
Potter books, although we confidently expect young master Potter's sales to tail off
dramatically in October when our publisher, Rab MacWilliam, releases his long-awaited
Illustrated history of Glasgow Rangers. Please form an orderly queue.
The future of the Old Fire Station now looks increasingly secure. The
listed building, on the corner of Leswin Road and Brooke Road,was given to the GLC by
London Fire Brigade n the early 1970s and since then has been used by a variety of groups.
including nurseries, childcare training, special needs, churches, yoga, music etc. Last
October the building was put on Hackney Council's auction list with a view to being sold
off to help solve Hackney's debts.
The various groups joined together in a concerted and determined lobbying campaign -
utilising such diverse organs as the Hackney Gazette and the Guardian - to prevent this
happening, and succeeded in interesting the Ethical Properly Company in acquiring the
building. The Company's brief is to buy up such properties and lease them back to their
former tenants, so Hackney took the Station off the auction list. Much relief all round.
While Hackney continue their discussions with the Company, the lobbyists have continued
their campaign and have recently heard from Hackney
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