Plans by Kirklees Council to close two customer service centres next week are being forced through without any consultation with the public, unions or the staff they represent and councillors must think again, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
The local authority had proposed closing the two centres, in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, with the loss of around 40 jobs. But workers have told UNISON the council intends to speed up the process and close both sites on Monday (22 July).
This decision has been reached without any discussion with UNISON. A formal grievance has been submitted over the council’s failure to negotiate, adds the union.
The union has called a lobby of Kirklees Council’s meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) at Huddersfield Town Hall in opposition to the plans. UNISON Kirklees branch secretary Mick Donoghue will also address the council meeting to set out the union’s concerns.
The customer service centres provide support to the community on issues including council tax and housing benefit, as well as more complex support with issues such as helping victims fleeing domestic violence.
The council claims the services provided in the customer centres can be just as easily provided by library staff. However, some libraries are already earmarked to be run by volunteers so there is no capacity to take on the extra responsibilities of the existing customer service officers, says UNISON.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Robin Symonds said: “Kirklees Council’s decision to push on with plans to close the two customer service centres without proper consultation is unacceptable. Councillors must think again.
“It’s not too late to find a viable solution, but that does mean the council talking to the union. These centres are far too an important community resource to lose.”
UNISON Kirklees branch secretary Mick Donoghue said: “The centres provide crucial support for the local community.
“Only recently a centre officer provided vital support for a victim of domestic violence. Kirklees needs these vital local services.
“Thousands of members of the public have signed a petition against the closure. It’s high time the council started listening to what staff and residents are telling them, and had an urgent change of heart.”
