Shortly after discovering losses of up to £16.2 million from investments of public money in failed Icelandic banks, the City Council have been quick to turn their sights on job cuts. Just before Christmas Mike More, Westminster City Council Chief Executive announced proposals for a major restructure of the Council which, if implemented, will result in slashing hundreds of jobs.
However, approximately 12 months ago, Sir Simon Milton the then leader of Westminster City Council refused to accept the representations of Westminster UNISON, GMB and NUT opposing radical changes to the Compensation for Redundancy Policy. The decision made at a Joint Staff Committee meeting, where trades disputes between the Council and unions are heard, paved the way for huge savings ahead of plans to cut staff.
The restructuring proposals agreed by the Conservatives in November 2008 create a new executive management board employing four new Directors at a cost of £800,000 a year. Yet at the same time, ordinary Council workers are expected to swallow the prospect of losing their jobs and receiving much smaller redundancy payments.
Phil Vaughan, Westminster UNISON Branch Secretary said "Had the money that was sitting in Icelandic banks been used for front line services, the Council could have funded 100 extra Social Workers for three years, or invested in social housing for one of the most expensive places to live in the world. From 2005 - 2008 the hard work of UNISON members has already helped achieve the Council's previous agressive £40 million savings plan. Any further job cuts and savings proposed now can only come at the cost of services to Westminster residents."
Phil Vaughan will be meeting with Mike More later this week to express the concerns of our members directly. To find out the latest information, make sure you come along to one of our Annual General Meetings.
Westminster UNISON's role as the largest trade union in the Council and its contractors ensures our place at the negotiating table. Whether backing you up at work or weighing in on a local policy issue, UNISON draws its strength from its numbers.
