Some 320 jobs at Herefordshire council are under threat at Herefordshire coucil following new chief executive Alistair Neill’s announcement that the council has ‘no choice’ but to further reduce services because of cuts in government spending.
The council is now saying that, since February’s budget, 320 more jobs will have to go over the next two years and an extra £8m savings.
UNISON is asking what has gone wrong over the past three months, since the budget was set, and has vowed to campaign to protect vital services.
UNISON regional secretary Ravi Subramanian said: “The council has some serious questions to answer; it only set its budget in February this year but is now saying it has to find an extra £8m savings. UNISON wants to know what has gone wrong in the last three months?
“The news that over 320 more jobs are to go over the next two years at Hereford Council, in addition to the 280 jobs that have already been lost since 2010, is devastating. Staff are naturally very upset and worried about the future of the community they serve.
“Saving £32 million over the next three years could mean catastrophe for services and difficult times ahead for people and families reliant on accessing services.”
Regional organiser Steve Akers added: “Herefordshire is another one of an increasing number of counties that is suffering from a dose of damaging medicine dished out by the ConDem government since 2010.
“Losing what will amount to a quarter of its workforce, over a relatively short period of time, can only have a negative effect on people’s lives, on local job prospects and on Herefordshire’s economy.
“Clearly this approach is not working and we need an alternative.
“UNISON will be holding a mass meeting this Thursday (2 May) lunchtime at Hereford Town Hall, where we shall be listening to our members’ views. We will also be lobbying the next full council meeting on 24 May 2013.”
