The New Year will begin with demonstrations and protests across Dundee in opposition to budget cuts and job losses, trade union chiefs have revealed.
The leaders of six major unions, representing every part of Dundee City Council’s workforce, have joined forces to launch the campaign of action.
They believe proposed budget cuts in excess of £40 million can yet be avoided if there is the will and have told the local authority it must “stand up to Tory cuts” and defend local jobs and services.
Behind the campaign are the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), GMB Scotland, the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA), construction workers’ union UCATT, UNISON and Unite.
They believe austerity is having a “devastating impact” on Dundee’s people and communities and want council chiefs to hold off cuts and instead fight for increased funding.
A city-wide demonstration is being organised for the end of January, while a lobby of council budget discussions in February is also planned.
Speaking on behalf of six major trade unions, Unison branch secretary Jim McFarlane said austerity is “a political choice and not an economic necessity”.
He added: “Dundee City Council politicians have a choice – make the Tory cuts or stand up and defend local jobs and services.
“We call on the elected politicians in the city to use all available financial mechanisms to hold off any further cuts whilst leading a fight to win more money and resources for Dundee.
“The council could use its reserves and borrowing powers, supported by the legal process of “capitalisation” to fill the two-year gap.
“The trade unions can campaign along with the council, user groups and local communities with the objective of winning more resources from the Holyrood and Westminster governments.
“There is plenty of money in the economy – it is just in the wrong hands.”
Mr McFarlane said the trade unions would support politicians or any political grouping that adopts the strategy of “No More Cuts, defend Dundee Services”.
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