UNISON will introduce a range of measures to support workers at Bradford Council after the authority announced plans to cut more than a hundred jobs earlier this month, the union says today (Friday).
The council is the latest to announce cuts to address its budget shortfall, following a decade of underfunding by central government, says UNISON.
The closure of three waste removal sites and an outdoor children’s recreational centre, Ingleborough Hall, are among the proposals.
UNISON is setting out a plan to support those at risk of redundancy, as well as to protect vital services.
The union strongly opposes any compulsory redundancies as part of the council’s restructuring. It will also work to protect the contracts of staff.
UNISON will work with community groups to ensure services and the people who use them are protected, as well joining councils to jointly lobby the government for increased funding across Yorkshire and Humberside.
Recent UNISON research found 13 of the 15 councils across Yorkshire and Humberside face significant budget shortfalls for 2024/25.
The union says analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) showed less money is spent per head in West Yorkshire than in London. This research also found local authorities in London (Camden Council and Westminster Council) receive more money to address deprivation than Bradford, despite it being ranked higher than both for deprivation levels.
UNISON is calling on the government to give West Yorkshire the fair funding it needs.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Michael Parkinson said: “Staff on the frontline in Bradford, delivering vital services for their communities, are at risk due to years of underfunding by the government.
“They shouldn’t be the ones suffering as a result. Nor should the services they work so hard to deliver be at risk.
“UNISON will do all it can to protect these essential staff, and the vulnerable people who rely on the services they provide.”
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside head of local government Tony Pearson said: “The impact of years of cuts to local government funding by the Conservative government is clear to see.
“Four of the five councils in West Yorkshire face funding gaps of more than £20m, and it’s the people who most rely on them who’ll suffer as a result.
“Communities rely on essential services like road repairs and waste collection. We’re already seeing changes to these services at numerous councils, and this is just the start.
“Ministers are able to stump up the cash for councils in London. It’s time they do the same across the country, including in West Yorkshire.”
