Birmingham City Council 430 Job Cuts
Wednesday 28th July
2010
GMB MEMBERS STUNNED BY FURTHER 430 JOB CUTS AT
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Once again we see Local Authorities cutting frontline
services with no concern as to the affects on the people
of Birmingham says
GMB
Birmingham City Council has informed
the GMB Trade Union through a Section 188 Redundancy Notice the
dismissal of up to 430 Staff.
Birmingham City Council has cited the
reasons for the cuts as a direct result of a reduction in the area
based grant from Central Government with a view to making savings
of over £6 million.
The Staff affected work across a range
of Children's Services including Children's Homes, Contact and
Escort Services, but with the biggest hit likely to be across the
Connexions Service. The Connexions Service provides direct support
to 13–19 year olds, giving access to Further Education, modern
Apprenticeships and Universities, as well as supporting young
people in a move from education to employment. Connexions Services
works closely with Colleges, Employers and Job Centre Plus.
Tony Hughes, GMB Branch Secretary
says, "These cuts will cause a severe detriment to the
lives of children in the City of
Birmingham and will affect the most
vulnerable young people".
Leonard Haye, GMB Workplace Organiser
at Birmingham Connexions said, "These kind of cuts to the
Connexions service will directly affect the future of the City's
young adults with nowhere to go in accessing help to making key
decisions in relation to jobs and learning and with no access to
quality career advice and guidance".
Roger Jenkins, GMB Regional Organiser
said, "Once again we see Local Authorities cutting
frontline services with no concern as to the affects on the people
of Birmingham. At a time
when cuts are being made in Further Education and unemployment is
rising our young people need advice and guidance more than
ever. This is the worst time to cut these vital services and
leave our young people with no hope or no direction. GMB
members within the Connexions Service provide a vital role in our
community and any cuts will be felt across the City".
Ends
Contact: Tony Hughes, GMB Branch
Secretary on 07833 059272 or Leonard Hayes, GMB Workplace Organiser
on 07854 143159 or Roger Jenkins, GMB Organiser on 07957
265302.