Fighting for their lives at Birmingham Connexions

UNISON members at Birmingham Connexions have succeeded in avoiding any compulsory redundancies, despite facing the largest cuts to the service in the country.

UNISON members led by stewards Charlie Friel and Malcolm Desmond fought back against the cuts. They tirelessly advocated the value of the service with the council’s political leadership.

Denise Bertuchi, assistant national officer for UNISON’s Education and Children’s Services said: “They care so much about the service they deliver that they managed to convey their passion to the political leadership. The situation there is still bad. But without the work by the UNISON members on the frontline the situation could have been untenable.”

Forty two Connexions employees have taken voluntary redundancy, thereby avoiding any compulsory redundancies. This leaves only 38 personal advisors for the service in Birmingham, and all six Connexions offices in the city have been closed.

 “They have been battling for their lives since 2010 and with extraordinary commitment have continued to right every step of the way,” commented Denise Bertuchi. “The cuts to the service represent a great loss for the young people of Birmingham. But the dedication of the UNISON stewards in fighting to save it deserves recognition”. 

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