UNISON's Edinburgh branch has reacted furiously to the City Council’s announcement today to cut a further £16 million with 300 jobs to go. It called for an emergency meeting with the council which taking place as this is posted.
John Stevenson, UNISON Branch President, said: “To to hear about these cuts through the media is a disgrace. Only yesterday union negotiators met the council leader Jenny Dawe and no mention was made of these cuts and despite what the council’s press release says, unions were not being briefed on these unnecessary cuts.
In the Council press release, Council Leader (LibDem) Cllr Jenny Dawe said: “The harsh reality of the UK budget deficit requires us to confront some very difficult decisions.... We recognise just how concerning this is for staff and we will critically examine the proposals received from directors. We will do all we can to support staff and to protect the valued and vital services they deliver for the people of Edinburgh."
This provoked an even angrier response from UNISON. "We are not convinced by the crocodile tears of the council leader", said John. "It is her own coalition government that is forcing through cuts that the economists who actually predicted the crisis say are not needed and will put the economy into an even bigger mess. These cuts have nothing to do with the deficit, they are purely and simply an ideological attack on public services and the people who rely on them”.
"Our members have delivered up to £90m in savings in the last four years. They have helped the council win award after award including being shortlisted for ‘council of the year’. This is a disgraceful way to treat them", says a UNISON Edinburgh statement at http://www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/
