Fears of redundancies and worse employment conditions on remaining staff is expected to boost the turnout at an union meeting on Thursday.
Unison is holding its AGM at 3pm in the Council Chamber, Sandwick Road, Stornoway. Video links have been organised to both the Balivanich and Castlebay council offices.
The main items on the agenda are the impact of the budget cuts to cover a £10 million deficit over the next three years; the Comhairle’s human resources strategy which means much tighter restrictions on workers’ terms and conditions; and the pensions campaign.
To save cash an increasing number of vacant posts are being left unfilled putting more pressure on the remaining staff who also face slashed overtime opportunities and mileage rates.
Guest speaker will be Ken Matthews, UNISON Regional Organiser. All members are encouraged to attend an the UNISON Discount Cards will be distributed after the meeting.
Union’s island branch chairman Tom Joyce said: “This AGM is probably the most important in recent years because of the adverse impact on our members' terms and conditions and job prospects brought about by the budget cuts and proposed HR strategy.
“The AGM is an opportunity for members to discuss Unison's response to these attacks and develop a strategy for countering them.”
Uist branch secretary Alison MacCorquodale highlighted: “We are facing tough times as Comhairle employees with attacks on our terms and conditions and further redundancies being the stark reality of the £10 million deficit.
“At the meeting attendees will hear what the branch has been doing to protect its members, their jobs and public services across the Outer Hebrides.
“With an opportunity to discuss the challenges which lie ahead, I would encourage all our members to attend this brief meeting to help shape the direction of the branch over the coming year. It is your union after all.”
Western Isles Council is making about £3.3 million of cuts and savings every year up to 2015.
More redundancies are expected and savage cuts in some services are likely to try and stem the crisis.
The council workforce fallen by around 5% from two years ago with about 130 council staff departing since 2010.
The council has no policy against compulsory redundancies though it says it will try and avoid forcing people out of their jobs. However, it has been accused of inaccurate and misleading practices by insisting that staff who are made to leave involuntary through restructuring of posts are excluded from the compulsory redundancies figures.
The council appears to be reluctant to increase its redundancy payment package to encourage more people to leave voluntarily.
Job threats on agenda at union meeting 22/2/12
In November, Unison members took part in a strike and march through Stornoway in protest of government cuts to public sector pensions.