Doncaster council workers to strike over job cuts

Workers at Doncaster Council are preparing to take strike action over cuts to services and jobs.

Unison said the proposed 1,000 job losses over the next year, pay cuts of more than 5% and a pay freeze until 2013 were "not necessary".

The trade union is now planning to take strike action on Wednesday.

The council said it was looking to change the terms and conditions of staff pay to make £26m of savings.

Rob Vincent, chief executive of Doncaster Council, said if the savings could not be achieved then it would have "no option but to look towards front line services".

Mr Vincent said he was "disappointed" Unison, the largest union at the council, had decided to take action before entering into formal negotiations with the authority.

'Difficult decision'

He added: "The council has already saved £30m in 2011/12, including making many efficiencies and now has to find £26m from its 2012/13 budget.

"Whilst it is a difficult decision to take we need to ensure that the cuts we make are fair and we protect as much as we can services for residents."

Jim Board, Doncaster Unison branch secretary, said: "Thousands of people will be expected to accept unemployment and working longer for less."

"Our members have seen their pay fall by almost 15% already... For [the council] now to demand that they endure yet more cuts is a step to far."