Branch joins Demonstration for more Council funding
The Branch joined trade unionists, councillors and community activists on Monday to lobby Greenock & Inverclyde MSP StuMcMillan in advance of the stage 3 Scottish budget debate calling on Stuart not to vote for a budget that would cut Council funding.
Robin Taggart, UNISON Branch Secretary said: “Inverclyde Council do have to make some very difficult decisions both in terms of increasing council tax and cutting jobs and services. Not only is the Scottish Government’s settlement to councils completely inadequate but the money the council does get is hugely ringfenced. This has the effect of the council setting a budget literally with both hands tied behind their back. That said, the council still has the means to deliver a budget without making compulsory redundancies or terminating temporary contracts. The council remains the biggest and arguably the most progressive employer locally and has a duty and responsibility to support jobs especially as over 80% of the council’s workforce lives in Inverclyde. Equally it is important that high standard quality services continue to be delivered in schools, early years, libraries and in the community generally.”