http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8508023.stm
The Council’s workforce has been confronted with press reports speculating between 2000 and 7000 job losses. http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2010/02/12/revealed-7-000-birmingham-city-council-jobs-face-axe-97319-25818473/?
Roger McKenzie, UNISON West Midlands regional secretary said: We started to question them about this and they went quiet. We didn't hear anything for a while and then we hear, through the media, about these jobs going. Its outrageous, its no way to treat your staff."
The Birmingham branch of UNISON, along with the Council’s joint trade unions (including GMB, UCATT and UNITE), are mobilising opposition to the budget cuts and job losses. The City Council’s budget setting meeting on 23 February will be accompanied by a ‘noisy protest’ at the council House in Victoria Square. Union members and service users’ are being urged to bring along banners, placards, whistles drums, pots and pans!
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, who will be addressing the rally, said:
“We know that front-line services are under threat, and we need the people of Birmingham to join us in defending essential local services. UNISON members working in schools, nurseries, as carers, in the youth service, in housing offices and as debt councillors, are the vital lifeline that Birmingham needs to help it recover from the recession. It makes no sense to add these workers to the dole queues.
Local shops and businesses will suffer as less money goes through their tills, which could see the city sink into a downward spiral. The public need to know that these job losses are a political choice, not an economic necessity - made by a Tory council that wants to cut their public services. The council have money stashed away in reserves, and have other choices for making ends meet rather than making jobs cuts. They should put a stop to their damaging plans.”
http://www.unison.org.uk/westmidlands/pages_view.asp?did=10675