Scotland: Step up opposition to cuts

THE IMPACT of the cuts in local government spending signalled by both the UK and Scottish governments in late 2008 is beginning to show.

Brian Smith, branch secretary, Glasgow city Unison (personal capacity)

SNP-led Stirling council intends to cut 170 posts and have not ruled out compulsory redundancies in an attempt to 'balance the books'.

The local Unison branch has said that industrial action is being considered and will now consult its members.

The chief executive of Glasgow council welcomed the workforce back from the Christmas break with a slightly apocalyptic message full of references to how bad things are going to get, how the workforce had to recognise that reality and do all they can to assist the council in cutting costs.

It is likely that other councils will make similar statements in the coming weeks with the same objective - to soften up opposition within their workforce, the trade unions and the wider community to attacks on jobs and services.

Local trade union branches and community groups must now begin campaigning to build up the confidence of council workers and the people who use the services they provide to oppose any cuts.

At a national level the trade unions must step up their opposition to cuts in public spending and give full support to any branches that vote to take industrial action.

The leaders of the council trade unions should call a Scottish-wide demonstration against cuts in council services.

In the coming months thousands of council workers and communities across Scotland will be forced into action in an effort to defend our jobs, services and working conditions and for better use of public money.