14 September 2010
EDINBURGH CUTS SAVAGE AND UNNECESSARY
UNISON, the union representing most Council workers
in Edinburgh has slammed cuts to be announced by
the City Council as 'savage and unnecessary'.
The union has also criticised the release of details
to the press before unions and the workers whose
jobs are affected are told.
"The Council may try to delay giving the details
of the cuts to their own staff unions, but the sheer
size of the sums involved must mean the loss of
entire services for the people of Edinburgh and
potentially thousands of jobs - jobs that Edinburgh's
economy relies on", warned John Stevenson, Edinburgh
UNISON President.
The union says that the effect will also be felt
across the private sector in the city.
"Research shows that for every job that goes in
the public sector, at least one is also lost in
the private sector. Even the International Monetary
Fund is warning against cuts because they are grinding
the economy to a halt. The last three months have
seen the worst trade gap on record - and yet the
politicians are persisting with cuts", added John
Stevenson.
"Instead of presiding over cuts that will slash
the essential services people rely on and the jobs
that keep Edinburgh's economy ticking over, the
Council administration would be better challenging
their friends in the coalition at Westminster to
stop this folly.
"The deficit was at least three times higher after
World War II and we built the NHS and the Welfare
State. These cuts are pure anti-public service ideology,
they are savage and unnecessary and have nothing
to do with the economy".
In a letter to the Chief Executive today, Joint
Union Secretary Kevin Duguid said, "I write on behalf
of the Trades Union Side to express our concern
that yet again the demands of the press are put
before the right of Council Staff and their Trades
Unions to be properly briefed on proposals that
may have a devastating impact on their employment."
ENDS
Note for editors: The body of evidence from
experts is building up to show that cuts in public
services will deepen the recession and affect the
poorest worse.
There is a better way - STUC: http://www.thereisabetterway.org/top-myths-about-the-crisis
What the economists say: http://unisoneastmids.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-economists-say.html
