EXCLUSIVE BY STEPHEN RYLANCE

TOWN Hall workers have accused council bosses of threatening to undermine the town's most cherished tradition.

Officials from the public sector union, UNISON, are locked in a standoff with council chiefs over proposals to remove the automatic right of 800 council staff to take time off on Walking Day.

UNISON Branch Secretary John Wilkinson said the council had asked them to consider waiving their entitlement to Walking Day leave in exchange for time off in lieu.

But he said the union was unwilling to negotiate these terms and would strenuously resist what their members saw as an attack on their traditions.

"Walking Day is a very special event and people brought up in Warrington don't want to lose it," he said. "By trying to negotiate their entitlement away, the local authority could weaken their participation in Walking Day, and a very old tradition could be lost."

When the council became a unitary authority two years ago, Warrington Borough Council workers kept their Walking Day entitlement, but this was not extended to former Cheshire County Council staff who were drafted in after the change-over.

Council bosses have asked UNISON to enter negotiations in a bid to introduce a 'Single Status' policy, ensuring equal rights to all employees.

But Mr Wilkinson said the council, as Warrington's largest employer, had a duty to maintain its status as a public holiday.

He added: "We fear this could be the thin end of the wedge. If another major company follows suit, that means Walking Day is put under even more pressure.

"It is a problem for the council. Obviously some services can't shut down, but we can negotiate around that, and allow employees to continue their entitlement wherever possible," he said.

Falling attendance at the 166-year-old procession has also prompted suggestions that church leaders move the event from its traditional Friday slot to a Sunday.

79-year-old Warrington Youth Band founder Len Andrews has been taking part in the procession for 77 years.

He said: "After leading Walking Day for the past 20 years I feel very disappointed when I see ever reducing numbers of Church members, band members, and spectators lining the streets. Perhaps it is time to consider a break with tradition, or we may have no procession.

"As Walking Day is a procession of religious witness, it may be better held on a Sunday. More people could walk with their church and people would not have to give up a day of their holidays. I think we should give it a chance on July 2, 2000, and I would like to see what readers think."

Council Chief Executive Steven Broomhead insisted the council would continue to support Walking Day, but said talks were needed to address the problem.

"We are not trying to remove anyone's right to take part in Walking Day," he said. "Very few firms shut down on Walking Day these days. We have 7,500 employees, about 800 of which took the day off last Friday. But as a unitary authority, we have a duty to maintain key services, and we've got to achieve a balance between that and a flexible approach to our employees.

"We want to maintain Walking Day as an important tradition in the town, but we'd like to have a debate about what day it is held on. This should probably be led by the churches. After all, it's the people's day, not the council's day," he said.

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