UNION bosses in Warrington have condemned the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition on the borough council for “blatantly ignoring” the views of local voters.
In a joint statement, the Unison and GMB unions, which represent most council workers, blame the coalition for creating a £30 million deficit which is resulting in job losses across the authority
The two unions state: “Employees of the council did not cause this deficit and should not be made to pay to help balance the books by way of job losses and increased workloads.”
The statement followed the secret vote at Monday’s annual meeting of the council when Liberal Democrat councillors joined forces to stay in control of the authority even though Labour are now the largest party on the council.
In the joint statement, the unions said: “Residents of Warrington, many of whom are council employees, voted for change in the local elections held on May 6. “Voters who put their cross down for change have been sorely deceived as the Conservatives helped the Liberal Democrats maintain control at the full council meeting held on Monday night.
“The present administration has created a deficit of £30m which is now resulting in job losses across the organisation as the executive board attempts to balance the books.
“Employees of the council did not cause this deficit and should not be made to pay to help balance the books by way of job losses and increased workloads.”
Unison joint branch secretary Jason Horan said: “The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have blatantly ignored the request of Warrington residents for a change of leadership within Warrington Borough Council.
“We are concerned that the alliance will continue with the culling of jobs and the detrimental effect this will have on our members and the services they provide to the residents of Warrington.”
Mr Horan said the leader and deputy leader of the council refused to comment on a question raised at the full council meeting regarding Building Schools for the Future funding for Warrington schools.
“Reference was made to BSF funding being withdrawn from local councils. This can only be the start of attacks on local authorities by the new Conservative and Liberal Democrat’s coalition.
“The Trade Unions will continue to defend our public services and are opposed to privatisation that sees profit making companies benefiting from council tax payers money.”
Although Labour picked up five seats in the elections – four from the Lib Dems and one from the Tories – deputy leader of the council Keith Bland has pointed out that some 55,000 voted against Labour compared with only 31,000 for.
Council leader Ian Marks has said public finances nationally are “a complete mess” and all three parties have been guilty, nationally, of not giving the full facts about the savings that have to be made.
Whichever party is in control, tough decisions will have to be made.
UNION bosses in Warrington have condemned the Liberal
Democrat-Conservative coalition on the borough council for "blatantly
ignoring" the views of local voters.
Union attack on Lib Dem-Tory coalition
44 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
4 Comments
The attitide of these union bosses is a contributory factor to the parlous state the country is in. Is is always these well paid spokesperson who think only of their members and not the wider picture. Do they not see that cuts have to be made in all areas of spending whoever is in control of the council.
BSF funding seems a common target at the moment but the money for new build should never have been promised out of empty coffers in the first place.
My understanding as an ex council worker is that the people who have nerve to speak out for fairness are certainly not well paid, and receive a meagre salary along with every other member of local government staff – so well done to the unions for highlighting how local councillors don’t do as central government have and let the party who have the mosts seats take control, as the people of warrington have shown they want!!!!!
Snake Hips…. This council is currently advertising for someone to be a form of green ambassador and spout green nonsense. They are to be paid over £40,000 a year to do that. Please don’t come on here claiming council staff are on megre salaries…… try being self employed with no sick pay, no holiday pay, no flexi time (and how the council staff love their flexi time)…..
Baz, thanks for that you have enlightened me – not. I didn’t know the lads that clean our streets, teaching assistants, the staff that look after old and vunerable people, school caretakers (do you want me to go on) all receive £40,000, I THINK NOT, we’re talking about the ones who work hard to look after us all, not some pointless post the leaders of this council think is worthwhile!