Unions call on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to reverse job cuts decision

Yesterday, the Newtownabbey Times reported how 73 staff have been laid off by the council as part of an Emergency Financial Plan. For more on this story, read here

After the job cuts were announced, trade unions urged a council rethink.

GMB Trade Union officer Alan Perry said: “GMB Trade Union is calling on the council to do the decent thing and withdraw their notice of redundancy to the 73 staff and enter into meaningful consultation with trade unions to allow all available options to be explored to offset this appalling decision.

“GMB believes there is no reason why the council can’t avail of the government furlough scheme at this time instead of taking the easy way out.

“It is clear from what discussions we have had that this decision has not been thought through as answers to our questions cannot be given.

“GMB also calls on the NI Executive to release some of the additional £50 million they got on April 16 to assist local councils where some of their income has been affected. Staff moral has hit an all time low as concerns are that there may be more job losses in the future.”

In a statement, NIPSA official Natalie Shiel said: “It would appear that Antrim and Newtownabbey are cynically seizing on an opportunity to make cuts under the guise of the coronavirus pandemic and not giving due consideration to the other options available to them.

“The council are not giving due regard to the position they will be placing these workers in nor taking account of the service rendered to the council by these staff who they now target in order to cut their workforce.”

Meanwhile, SDLP Public Finance spokesperson Matthew O’Toole has written to Finance Minister Conor Murphy asking him to issue urgent guidance on the ability of public sector organisations to access the Job Retention Scheme and to outline additional support for local government.

The party said its members on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council refused to endorse the plan which signed off the redundancies.

Cllr Ryan Wilson said: “The Northern Ireland Local Government Association has encouraged councils to avail of the Job Retention scheme and I see no reason why Antrim and Newtownabbey would not try to explore this option rather than sacking staff in the middle of a global health pandemic. It is unbelievably callous.

“I am proud that the SDLP did not vote to support this horrendous plan and call on other parties to reveal how they voted and explain their terrible decision.”

The Newtownabbey Times has contacted elected representatives from other parties for a response. No comments had been received at the time of publication.

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