More unreal cuts on another £25million Matt Kilsby ponders `What cut constitutes a cut too far?’
T
he announcement of an additional £25m cuts in 2015/16 makes for depressing reading. At a time when the Council is in the middle of making £42m cuts (2013-15) on top of the £60m cuts made since 2011, UNISON members will rightly be worried and concerned. The numbers are so huge that they almost become unreal. We accept that Bolton Council’s hand has to some extent been forced by the Tory Government’s relentless attack on public services, particularly Local Government. However, questions must be asked of our elected representatives in council. What cut constitutes a cut too far? What is the line in the sand that councillors will not cross? The branch has recently announced our support for Councillors Against Cuts, which is a network of local councillors who believe that instead of implementing Tory cuts, councils and councillors should refuse to do so, and help workers and communities organise in resistance. We have written to Bolton’s Labour councillors to request that they consider signing-up to Councillors Against Cuts. It’s about time that our elected representatives seriously looked at the alternatives instead of meekly implementing Tory cuts. In 2015, the Council could set a `no cuts’ budget based on the needs of the people of Bolton and the vital services that our members deliver. If the rest of the Greater
Manchester Labour councils committed to do the same then we could build an unstoppable movement in defence of our vital public services. We have yet to discover details as to how the Council expects to make the cuts in 2015/16. Our initial thoughts are that these additional cuts cannot be made without the wholesale devastation of vital services, job losses and mass outsourcing. The picture is bleak. But we must not despair. There has never been a more important time to join a trade union. It is only by sticking together and through collective action that we can beat these cuts. As of yet, and despite a huge number of service reviews and cuts, not one of our members has been made compulsorily redundant. We can only maintain this position if the branch grows in strength and numbers. If you know of colleagues who are not a member of a trade union, get them to join. If you are in a workplace without a UNISON steward, then contact the branch and find out how you can become one.
£127,000,000 - THE CUTS £60,000,000 – cuts since 2011 £42,000,000 – more cuts 2013-15 £25,000,000 - more cuts 2015-16
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