Last week the hung Council agreed the green light for compulsory redundancies and the HR1 identifies 400 potentially under threat.
The crocodile tears of the 2 political parties who agreed this and did so 'without enthusiasm' only served to anger the Membership who are aware of an over 30% rise in their expenses, the loss of income to private vulture companies arvato and Capita Symonds who promised the earth and delivered little as well as massive wastage of council funds. Money voted through to keep hanging baskets in the Lib/Dem-Tory part of the Borough in contrast to their support for job cuts has not gone unnoticed by our Members.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/11/06/cash-crisis-threatens-400-jobs-at-sefton-council-100252-25103855/2/
Sefton UNISON have presented their own set of alternative proposals to the Cabinet that were well received by some and included no compulsory redundancies and no cuts in services. These include such as the collection of the £12m so far uncollected (by arvato) council tax; the pay freeze for all Hay graded officers, a reduction in elected members income, sale of green space or 'redundant' premises; more creative use of Capitalisation, different management of non-contractual overtime, letting go of agency staff, ceasing use of Consultants and a raft of other job saving and revenue raising strategies.
These are currently being worked through between UNISON and the employer. To date, we are the only union to have responded. An Emergency BEC is due to be called later this month to agree the response depending on how the negotiations progress.
The UNISON Guide to Redundancies has been an invaluable source of assistance in this process and enabled the Officers, new to this threat, to challenge with confidence.
http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/redundancies/guide.asp
The collective fear generated by letters to all staff threatening redundancies for some is an obstacle to be overcome if we are to avoid an individualistic, self-preservation resolve to set in. To date, by regular workplace meetings and good communication as well as accurate media coverage, UNISON is leading the opposition in the belief that fighting for jobs is not a crime.
Regular up-dates can be found on http://www.seftonunison.co.ok/