Unions to protest over Darlington town hall cuts (From The Northern Echo)
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Unions to protest over Darlington town hall cuts
6:00am Saturday 13th February 2010 in
UNIONS have pledged to picket a town hall as councillors meet to finalise their controversial budget proposals next week.
Staff and unions in Darlington said they were angry about plans to cut jobs and abolish premium rate overtime payments in an attempt to save money.
They said the proposed cuts, which also include the loss of 77 posts as part of £4.7m service efficiencies, were an election gimmick.
Darlington Borough Council’s Labour cabinet unveiled its draft budget for the 2010-11 financial year last month, ahead of a six-week consultation period.
The proposals included a freeze on council tax – paid for by service and job cuts.
Union members will hold a demonstration outside the town hall on Tuesday, at 4pm, ahead of the cabinet meeting.
They are protesting about the loss of 40 jobs, a pay freeze and the cutting of premium rate, overtime and essential car payments.
Alan Docherty, branch secretary of Unison, said: “I am bitterly disappointed that the council puts election gimmicks, ie the freezing of council tax, before its hardworking, low-paid staff.
“These cuts decided by highly-paid people will cause enormous financial difficulties for our members.”
He hoped that more than 100 staff would turn up to the demonstration to put pressure on the cabinet’s decision.
He said: “This stance says to the council that the staff are serious about this and we are not going away and want some flexibility on their side.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We are grateful to everyone who has responded to the consultation about the proposed budget, both residents and staff.
“All views have been considered and, in direct response to feedback, the proposal to secure savings in the current Early Years Inclusion Service has been removed and Darlington Storysacks and Toy Library has been allocated £60,000.”
Neither opposition group are expected to table counterproposals.
Comments(15)
Lifetime Townie
says...
7:41pm Sat 13 Feb 10
harry2
says...
2:14pm Sun 14 Feb 10
the council should raise it as a very small raise in council tax will not mean a high raise, our tax is the lowest of any other town i know. even aycliffe is15 pound more a month than ours here in darlington.
the only reason for the freeze this year is the election year, next year when elections are over council tax will have a big increase because of this years freeze.
simmo3578
says...
6:05pm Sun 14 Feb 10
BMD
says...
8:36pm Sun 14 Feb 10
The Council run departments should be put out to private tender, this would at least make the current employees realize the true meaning of working for a living and the only pension you get, is if you save for it.
harry2
says...
9:41pm Sun 14 Feb 10
why isi it so many people think that council staff work for over 30k a year
i work full time for more like 17k and this includes spending 2 nights a week at work doing a 24 hour shift.
and in my job you dont get to get bank holidays off, or christmas, i worked christmas eve christmas day and boxing day last year.
i do agree that the better cuts are going to be from the higher paid wages with the better perks.
and as for pay rises we habe been told if we get one it will be 1%.
i also wish people would see the stop in council tax increase is political for the elections, im not sure everyone realises that council tax goes up every year for inflation with us have a freeze this year it will only go up twice as much next year.
simmo3578
says...
11:03pm Sun 14 Feb 10
transport forum member
says...
11:09am Mon 15 Feb 10
Yes the Chief Executive paid 170 thousand pounds a year, nearly three times our MP's wage, certainly won't be affected by any premium cuts because like her ten colleagues on over 70,000 + p.a. she dos'ent have to work unsociable hours.
DarloDolly
says...
11:52am Mon 15 Feb 10
Public sector workers' pensions are quite clearly deferred salary - this is one of the few benefits associated with working for a public body (one can hardly say the salaries compare well with the private sector) but carping that smacks of jealousy and condemning all public sector workers is not only unfair, it is wrong.
Would BMD like their children to be escorted across the road by a private company, or have their Police Service contracted out, or have their teaching assistants made redundant because they are not attractive posts for a private sector employer?
The vast majority of public sector jobs are badly paid and simply rely on the goodwill of job holders to carry them out and a pension is reasonable compensation for that.
Please be more circumspect with your comments in future - your comments show your political persuation (as do mine) but the private sector is no magic bullet for the ills of the country - looking at the number of badly run companies who continually win contracts for the public sector prove that.
This move by DBC is simply electioneering with people's jobs. Which is a little risky, given the voting record of Darlington residents.
To others complaining about our level of council tax - they are ill-informed and do not reflect the low levels that we pay in the Borough compared to other authorities in the North East - I used to live in Derwentside and the bills you pay in that area would have some on this page howling in protest!
Please try and see the big picture!
BMD
says...
5:36pm Mon 15 Feb 10
I must assume you have led a rather sheltered protected existence.
I refer to your statement of deferral of salary to guarantee a good pension. In the real world the private sector has been cutting wages and withdrawing pension schemes, to ensure companies and businesses can survive.
I was fortunate as a child to have been taught how to cross the road respected the police and a teacher's assistant was called a caretaker. I have instilled the same ideology in my children, as I want them to stand on there own two feet and be a success in there chosen career.
I also note your concern of the badly run companies whom win public sector contracts. Surely the blame must be laid at the door of the public authority which failed to research these companies’ abilities.
Many people Unions included have stated this is an election stunt, but what if the Government of the day decreed that there would be a Council Tax freeze for the next 2 years; would this still be classed as an election stunt?
To quiz your final statement, because a neighbouring authority's Council tax is higher, Darlington must fall in line? No Logic there.
Please give the office window a clean; you may be able see the real world.
Super steve
says...
3:15pm Tue 16 Feb 10
maclaren
says...
10:25pm Wed 17 Feb 10
BMD
says...
8:56am Thu 18 Feb 10
The public sector is essentially classed as a service sector.
If the private sector collapsed, the public sector would follow with lack of revenue.
Barclays is a great example of a well-run private company, whom never received any Government bail out. But has pumped lots of taxes into the economy, hence keeping Public sector workers employed.
simmo3578
says...
11:29pm Fri 19 Feb 10
jdoran
says...
11:12pm Sun 21 Feb 10
Why would anyone want more hardship for people?
Of course the private sector has had greater wage and pension cuts - union membership is much lower.
Employers would happily cut wages to subsistence level to guarantee profits! Commenters here who are arguing for more privatisation either have an interest or are too stupid to work out how the world works...
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BMD says...
4:45pm Sat 13 Feb 10
Will it be declared a victory if the Union reaches its figure of 100 demonstrators or a failure if there is less?
I believe the cuts should have been deeper and included higher level staff.
The life time hand-outs culture of today’s society should be more in line with some our European partners.
The Unions still can’t understand that efficiencies have to be made in this current financial climate.
I am so pleased that the multi-cultural society that is craved by the Left wing Union / Labour socialites, is now dragging this country into more debt.
But they will not heed the wake up call.