Around 250 workers at Kirklees Council are set to lose their jobs because of a £20 million overspend, UNISON says.
The union was notified of the proposed redundancies earlier this month, which are scheduled for between October and March this year.
UNISON says the council must think again about its plans, which will deprive the community of vital services, and are causing alarm among staff who are worried whether their jobs are at risk.
The union says the council has no agreed redundancy policy in place and has failed to provide clarity on the roles affected. Services such as social work, social care, housing and immigration advice, mental health support and waste collection are among those likely to be hit, UNISON believes.
The job losses are due to the council’s £20.3million overspend for this financial year on its budget of £379.4million.
UNISON has also been informed by the council it cannot afford to offer voluntary redundancy to employees due to the cost.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional manager Leonie Sharp said: “Job losses mean the loss of vital local services for the community, it’s as simple as that.
“After 13 years of underfunding, local authorities have no meat on the bone left to cut. We can’t see any way cuts at the council can be made without dire consequences.
“Services can’t take any more cuts – and putting workers through this anxiety during a cost of living crisis is just cruel.
“UNISON will do all it can to protect these jobs and services. There are other ways for the council to manage financial pressures, and it must find ways to do so that don’t put people’s livelihoods at risk.”
UNISON Kirklees branch secretary Mick Donoghue said: “Local services have been cut to the bone and staff are at breaking point.
“Now’s the time for the government and Kirklees Council to invest in the workforce – not sack hundreds more workers.
“If these redundancies go ahead, the future of vital services the people of Kirklees rely on will be in doubt.
“Workers are saying enough’s enough.”
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