I read something of this yesterday and didn’t quite believe it. Well done UNISON, Charlie Friel and those rank and file employees in the Connexions service who had the temerity to tell the deputy leader of the council, amongst others, exactly what these closures would really mean to the vulnerable people using the service – and by extension to the council budget. We have seen the 40th anniversary of that great pyrrhic victory at Saltley Gate.
Celebrate this great turnaround of Feb 2012, for it may in time, prove more meaningful still.
Over 100 staff at Connexions had good news yesterday after hearing that Birmingham City Council have backed down and withdrawn the threat of redundancies, stating that there will not be any more cuts to this vital service in the coming financial year. We hope that whoever is in power following the council elections in May will provide a continued commitment to Connexions.
Connexions gives help and advice to young people who are unemployed and are looking for work, college or training. They also help young homeless people, pregnant teenage girls and teenage parents.
UNISON argued all along that to make cuts to this service when youth unemployment is at an all-time high and still rising was morally wrong, reckless and irresponsible and finally Birmingham City Council have listened.
UNISON Convenor Charlie Friel said
This is really good news for our members who been put the emotional wringer by this council…
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