Staff at Kirklees customer service center have voted for industrial action, UNISON says

Staff working at two customer service centers at risk of closure by Kirklees Council are being voted to strike, UNISON says today (Monday).

The council is proposing to close the two sites, in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, which would result in the loss of more than 40 jobs.

The centers provide community support with issues such as housing benefit and council tax. UNISON believes any closures would result in the most vulnerable residents, who rely most on council services, being hardest hit by the cuts.

The council maintains that the services provided in the customer centers will be provided by library staff. However, some libraries are already earmarked to be run by volunteers, so there is no capacity to take on the additional responsibilities of customer service officers, UNISON says.

The proposals are part of Kirklees Council’s efforts to tackle a budget shortfall of around £20m.

Robin Symonds, UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organiser said: “Staff in customer service centers are obviously worried about their jobs, but they are also worried that vulnerable residents in Kirklees will no longer be able to access a key service.

“Hitting is always a last resort. It is time for the council to reconsider its proposals to close the centers and avoid the risk of this happening.”

A petition launched by UNISON Kirklees opposing the cuts has received almost 3,000 signatures and has been backed by several councillors, including the six who make up the Kirklees Community Independent Councillors’ Group.

UNISON Kirklees Branch Secretary Mick Donoghue said: “Council leaders need to listen to the power to feel and rethink these plans.

“Thousands of people have signed a petition against the closure of the centres. That figure is likely to rise and senior advisers are speaking out against the plans.

“It’s time to look at other options to save money.”

Leader of Independent Kirklees Community Councillors, Jo Lawson said: “The closure of customer service centers in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury will have a detrimental effect on residents – particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

“Vital access to council services will be lost if the two departments close, along with highly trained staff.

“The proposal that library staff should be trained to provide the service will not work. It is planned that a third of all libraries in Kirklees will become ‘Friends of Libraries’, staffed by volunteers. The level of help and support currently provided will be lost.”

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