Union boss slates Comhairle job cuts 21/2/13
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of the UK’s largest public sector union, UNISON, backs local opposition to Comhairle spending cuts and job losses.
He is speaking at the union’s Western Isles local government branch AGM at 3pm today.
He said, over the past two years, 200 jobs have been cut and more are on the cards as a result of the Comhairle’s budget.
He will be urging the Comhairle to do all in its power to protect jobs and services.
Dave Prentis said: “The Western Isles rely heavily on the public sector for employment, for services and for maintaining the health of the local economy. More job cuts will simply add to the misery of families affected and will do nothing to assist the economy.
“People out of work have no money to spend in the local shops and businesses, and
the economy suffers as a result. All the evidence shows that there are few private
sector jobs out there, apart from those that are part-
“This is not the time to cut jobs and the services that people need to help them through these tough times.
“UNISON will continue to fight spending cuts and make the case for real investment in real jobs to give us the real growth families so desperately need.”
Dave Prentis is also urging the Comhairle to join the growing band of Living Wage employers.
The Scottish Living Wage is currently set at £7.45 an hour.