Unison: Derby council forced redundancies 'not needed'

A union has said Derby City Council does not need to make compulsory redundancies.

The city council has already given voluntary redundancy to 330 staff, equivalent to 217 full-time posts, but is aiming to cut 500 full-time posts.

Unison said the authority should spend less money on agency staff to help save the remaining 283 posts.

The coalition-run council has not announced whether some of its employees would be forced to leave their jobs.

The authority has said it is to cut £22.7m from its 2012-13 budget and it needs to save £90m over the next five years.

'Loss of skills'

Nicole Beresford, Unison branch secretary for the city council, said: "We've asked them [Derby City Council] to look at other opportunities, opening the window for voluntary redundancy again and look at those people who were turned down to see if they could let them go.

"Whether the redundancies are voluntary or compulsory, it is still a loss of skills and knowledge from the authority."

A council spokesman said: "While we continue to confirm our exact financial position, we will do everything we can to support staff who are at risk of compulsory redundancy and to keep them all informed of the latest developments."

The council said in a statement that it was "committed to minimise compulsory redundancies".

Ms Beresford added that Unison wanted to continue with negotiations with Derby City Council.

The authority aimed to reduce its workforce to reach budget reduction targets, which have been put in place because of cuts in government funding.