UNISON condemns Stirling Council over unnecessary cuts

UNISON has rased major concerns following Stirling Council's budget meeting on 21 February.

Stirling UNISON said that the council's budget paper proposed making a saving of £9 million when there is only a need to achieve a £7.4 million saving.

The impact of this is to be felt by both staff and service users, including job losses, proposed changes to terms and conditions and reduced services.
After being informed of a need to make savings of £3 million from costs of employment, UNISON worked with the council and identified over £650,000, budget reductions. Unfortunately the employer then increased the savings required to close to £4.25 million including the budget reductions identified by UNISON.

James Douglas, UNISON Branch Secretary said : "To say we are disappointed is a gross understatement. We will of course attempt to negotiate to mitigate against the negative impact on both our members and services, although a ballot for industrial action at some stage cannot be ruled out."

.