Jobs hit by council cuts 14/2/14
The Comhairle has declined to put a figure on the number of posts affected by its budget cuts.
The budget through on Thursday are peppered with a raft of staff cuts across various departments on top of the estimated 250 posts which have gone in the last three years or so.
The council plans to invite teachers to apply for early retirement while pupils’ books, paper and pencils will be cut in schools.
A radical shift to create virtual classrooms through e-
Some £250,000 could be saved via employment conditions for council workers through less sickness absence, cutting overtime, prior year early retirements and reduced public holiday working.
Senior union official, Flora Somerville, warns the local economy cannot take much more of such harsh treatment after similar cuts in 2013.
Chairperson of the Unison Western Isles Local Government Branch, Ms Somerville, fears that for each job lost in the public sector, another is lost in the local economy.
She pointed out that Unison research shows that public sector workers spend 70% of their pay in local shops and businesses.
Ms Somerville stressed: “Job cuts are having an impact on employees who continue to deliver services despite the budget cuts.
She stressed the ongoing cuts are already a factor in local business, shops, pubs and hotels closing down and make staff redundant.
She highlighted the number of boarded-
She said the impact could be seen with less shoppers out and about in what was previously a bustling town centre.
Council leader Angus Campbell stressed the authority was fully aware of the impact of the cuts on local shops and business.
He pointed out that it didn’t pursue redundancies deliberately just to save cash.
He highlighted employment will be created by £71 million worth of council construction work in the next five years.
Mr Campbell stated: “The council maintains a policy of no compulsory redundancies wherever possible.
“Over the past years we have protected jobs – which we recognise as vital for local businesses, the local economy and families within our communities.
“We are continuing that policy and I make no apologies for that. Furthermore, we are continuing to seek the implementation of a living wage as a minimum for all council employees.
“There has been a reduction in the number of people employed by the council over recent years but that is inevitable as service design changes.”