Unions’ fears for city communities
PROTESTERS gathered outside the city chambers to voice their fears over cuts before councillors met to decide the budget.
Unions, including Unison and the GMB, called for a one-year no cuts budget, raising concerns over the SNP budget’s impact on Glasgow communities.
Brian Smith, from Unison, said: “We’ve had 10 years of austerity now.
“Services are getting poorer, communities are suffering.
“Today there’s another rise in council tax and £22 million worth of cuts. The bulk of that being social care but also significant cuts in education and to the parks department as well.”
He wants the council to work with unions to secure more money for Glasgow.
Rhea Wolfson of the GMB said: “Glasgow has once again received a disproportionately large hit in terms of the budget.
“We are incredibly worried about the future of the state of Glasgow. Our members work in roads, they work in cleansing, they work in parks, all the things we take for granted.”
Cuts to secondary school funding was high on the protesters’ agenda.
Susan Quinn, from the Educational Institute of Scotland, said: “There was no indication a budget cut was coming.
“We’d like councillors to talk to us about what their plans are so they can understand the impact of the decisions they’re making.”
Members of the Save Whitehill Pool campaign also gathered before the meeting. Deborah Hamilton said the pool needs investment to ensure it remains open for future generations.