Jobs and services in Sefton are under renewed attack, after the consultants running council-owned limited company Sefton New Directions put forward news plans this week.
Services to older people, those with learning disabilities and adults with mental health problems will be slashed under the plans and 385 staff will be put at risk of redundancy.
Plans presented to UNISON will see the end of day care and threats to respite services as well as housing-based support services and re-enablement.
Sefton branch secretary, Glen Williams responded angrily, saying: “Our members are low paid and have already taken a 10% cut in pay as well as a cut to their holidays while working harder to cover for the many staff that have left – and all to protect the company.
“While the low-paid staff work harder for less, highly-paid consultants – costing nearly £30,000 for a three-day week – have failed to bring in any new work or funding and some senior managers have even taken a pay rise. This is immoral and economic folly.”
Mr Williams added: “A society is judged by the way it looks after the most vulnerable – Sefton will be abandoning those least able to look after themselves and UNISON says enough is enough.”
Urgent meetings have been called by UNISON with the company, the council and the staff to try and find alternatives to these drastic measures. The union is urging all residents of Sefton to join them in helping to save these crucial services.
