Press Release (2 Feb 06) - Council's crocodile tears over proposed redundancies

Councillor Greenslade in his recent press release over the proposed redundancies at the County Council indicates that the cuts are needed because of the effect on the lower paid workers in the county. This is echoed in the letter to staff on the council's website from the new Chief Executive.

In an interview with the media broadcast on the morning of the 2nd February Councillor Greenslade goes further. If not enough volunteers come forward then compulsory redundancies would take place.

Devon County UNISON agrees with Councillor Greenslade that the unsatisfactory Grant Funding from Government is behind much of this, but wishes to make it absolutely clear that it cannot be acceptable if member's jobs become used for the purpose of making political points.

UNISON Branch Secretary Moira Macdonald commented:

'What appears to have been forgotten in these notices of regret is that a high percentage of the council's employees are amongst the lower paid workforce in the county. Many are part time. They suffer from the same financial problems as other workers in Devon with regard to low pay and high house prices.'

Leaving aside the Grant Funding problem, we do wonder how a Four Star County, which presumably includes four stars for its financial management, has been brought to this state?

Contact details:

Moira Macdonald - UNISON Branch Secretary - Devon County Branch
Tel. 01392 382530
Ken Pearson - UNISON Regional Officer
Tel. 01823 288231

Press Release (26 Jan 06) - More job losses at Devon County Council

- Over 100 staff to go in latest cutbacks

Devon County Council yesterday announced swingeing cuts to its workforce with over 100 jobs set to go in the spring as a result of the severe financial pressures the authority is under - with the possibility of more job losses after that.

UNISON, the public sector union representing council employees, was horrified to learn of these latest cuts that could mean yet more reductions in services to the most vulnerable people in Devon.

The authority has notified the DTI of its proposal to conduct a corporate voluntary redundancy exercise with the issuing of notices of redundancy to staff likely to be issued in May.

At this time it is not clear which staff will be affected although the authority states that the cuts will be across all directorates, with the possibility of further job losses after that.

The news comes hot on the heels of recent announcements by the authority regarding library and residential homes closures, a county wide recruitment freeze and the outsourcing of its meals on wheels service to private tender.

UNISON Branch Secretary Moira Macdonald said:

"Where is this going to end? UNISON realises the problem regarding government funding - or rather the lack of it - but cannot see how frontline services in Devon can be cut any more.

"At the end of the day it is the public who will suffer and they can, quite rightly, ask 'Where is our council tax money going?' UNISON will continue to meet with management to see if there is a way forward to protect both our member's jobs and vital services to the public which, after all, they pay for."

For further information please contact:

UNISON Regional Officer Ken Pearson: 01823 288231
UNISON Branch Secretary Moira Macdonald 01392 383337