‘Uncertainty’ sparks fresh meeting over council jobs

A MEETING has been called by union leaders in Dundee following widespread concerns over job security in the city.

Stuart Fairweather, Dundee branch chairman of Unite, said anxiety had developed from the news of Dundee City Council’s extensive budget cuts earlier this year, which was further compounded by the referendum decision to leave the EU.

Coming only months apart, the double whammy has created an air of uncertainty in the city.

Mr Fairweather, who represents hundreds of local authority workers, said public sector workers had been particularly affected.

He said the worry among staff had been stretched beyond breaking point and action was required.

A meeting has been organised by Unite to enable council members to express their concerns and plan a course of action for the union.

It will be held in a committee room at the council offices in City Square on Wednesday October 12 at 5.30pm.

One of the union’s claims is that people who were told that redundancy was on the cards are still waiting for further news.

Mr Fairweather told the Tele: “People who were told that they are going are still waiting for information and they are now wondering what the next year will bring.

“We’ve heard people say they’ve been left in limbo since the budget decision in February, and naturally it’s causing a lot of concern.

“The decision to leave the EU in June has also left people unsure of what to expect.”

Mr Fairweather said the union had been trying to make a positive contribution but he felt the council had been “making it up as it went along”.

He added: “It’s a lot harder to negotiate when there’s no solid plan.

“These are people’s lives and to be left in the dark is not fair.

“The council has an ageing workforce and a lot of people are approaching retirement age with uncertainty.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “The council and the trade unions continue to have productive and collaborative consultations and discussions on modernising working practices across a number of service areas.

“The council is maintaining its focus on jobs, its employees, fairness and equality.”