Council management shake-up angers union

A RADICAL shake-up of Derry City Council that will result in 20 management posts being shaved from the local authority's payroll and its streamlining under three directorates instead of seven departments has sparked anger amongst trade unionists who say there has been a lack of consultation on the plan.

Alan Law, from NIPSA, said a lack of communication with members over the "Transforming Derry City Council" proposals has been "disgraceful".

"If the council was confident of the proposals it would have come to the union months ago.

"Staff only got letters on Saturday, telling them their jobs were at risk. No one has had the opportunity to examine these proposals," he commented.

Councillors approved the plan back in June 2009 when Council Chief Executive Valerie Watts said no compulsory redundancies would be required to deliver the management shake-up.

Under the plan Derry City Council will be restructured with three directorates replacing seven existing departments. A Director of Environment and Infrastructure, Director of Corporate Services and a Director of Culture, Business, Commercial Services will each be supported by two heads of service.

Back in 2009 Mrs Watts said the Council shake-up would involve management restructuring only and would not affect front line services or lower grades in any shape or form.

She estimated the value of the deleted posts at 800,000. Crucially she envisaged the slashing of management positions being achieved solely through voluntary redundancies and natural turnover or wastage.

There will be no compulsory redundancies, she promised.

Up to 60 employees and union representatives held a protest outside the Guildhall on Monday over potential job losses and a lack of consultation.

A spokesperson for Derry City Council said it is committed to progressing with the Transforming Derry City Council report and a consultation process has commenced with employees and their union representatives.

Adding: "In keeping with its statutory and legal obligations, Council is committed to progressing the proposals in full consultation with employees and their union representatives."