LuDun’s Sell-Off Alert
Tuesday 1st February
2011
AUCTIONEERS PRICE UP MACHINERY
FOR SALE
INLUTON'S
DISABLED WORKSHOP BEFORE CENTRAL BEDS COUNCIL MAKES FINAL
DECISION ON ITS FUTURE
GMB plead with Central
Bedforshire Councillors to keep the workshop open as disabled
workers face life on the dole if council meeting on 15th
Feberaury gives go ahead for closure
GMB is demanding an explanation from Central Bedfordshire
Council Head of Social Care, Cllr Carole Hegley as to why
auctioneers were in the LuDun sheltered workshop last week pricing
up the machinery for sale. This is the machinery used by the
disabled workers whose future is under threat and the final
decision is due to be make at a council meeting on 15th
February.
In December 2010 GMB called on Luton Council and Central
Bedforshire Council to keep LuDun sheltered workshop in Dunstable
open and save the 24 jobs of adults with disabilities. GMB asked
that the councillors use reserves which amount jointly to over
£37million.
GMB last week alerted all Central Bedfordshire Councillors that
the results of survey of disbaled workers made redundant from
Remploy factories in March 8th 2008 shows that the vast
majority are is on the dole. GMB Organiser Warren Kenny informed
Councillors in an email that, "The survey clearly shows what
happened to the disabled staff after their factories were shut. I
have no reason to believe that it would be any different for the
staff at LuDun if the council decides to withdraw their funding at
the forthcoming Executive meeting in February: 74% unemployed,
74.5% less money, 74.4% no pension with new job and 74.5% less
holidays and 75% no sick pay."
But an almost immediate response from
Cllr Carole Hegley who is responsible for social care & health
at Central Bedfordshire Council appears to shows a complete
reluctance to save the LuDun sheltered workshop. Her email
read:
"Dear Mr Kenny, thank you for your
email, I have already been acquainted with the survey and its
findings and I am sure you are aware that the future of LuDun has
been a major consideration of Central Bedfordshire Council and the
Trustees for a number of months now. All parties have been
investigating numerous options and the outcome will be deliberated
at the next Executive meeting on 15 February. I appreciate your
representation on behalf of LuDun but would urge you to revisit the
proposed schedule of Efficiencies and Reconfigurations across Adult
Social Care to appreciate the range of proposals we are
considering, to contribute to the £20 million savings we are
required to make as a Council in 2011/12. We have to find
nearly £4 million towards this figure and every service is being
scrutinised. If you have any examples of business plans for long
term sustainability of such a service, I would welcome them. I do
appreciate your email and information.
Warren Kenny, GMB Senior Organiser said, "As a result of
the news that auctioneers were in the Ludun factory last week
pricing up the machinery for sale then heads should role. GMB has
been told that the decision on the future of LuDun will be made at
the council meeting on 15th February. Yet it appears
that the Council is already estimating the savings to be made from
closure and the loss of 24 disabled workers jobs.
I hope that the impression given by Councillor Hegley
email reply is not that of the other Central Bedfordshire
Councillors. As the Tory lead cuts begin to bite into peoples
liveihoods it would be reprehensible for elected representatives of
the county's residents to deliberately allow the most vunerbale in
the Councty to be unnecessarily injured and to pretend that they
could do noothing to help.
GMB plead with Central
Bedforshire Councillors to keep this workshop open as disabled
workers involved will face life on the dole if council meeting on
15th Feberaury gives go ahead for closure.
"
End
Contact: Warren Kenny, GMB on 07843 632 394 or
01462 499650 or GMB Press Office 07921 289880 or 07974 251823.
Notes to Editors:
LuDun works is a sheltered workshop based in Dunstable where 24
adults with disabilities are employed in picture framing, logistics
and milling activities. This service was originally established in
1956 to provide training, accommodation and other services and
facilities for people with disability or learning disabilities who
were incapable in obtaining normal employment. It is jointly funded
with Luton Borough Council and receives support from DWP.