Kirklees customer service staff have voted on strike action

As closure plans loom over Kirklees’ customer service centres, workers are being voted to strike, Unison says.

Kirklees Council plans to close the two sites in Huddersfield and Dewsbury as part of its bid to save money and the Cabinet gave the nod in February. The local authority’s budget report revealed the closures would impact more than 40 jobs by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

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

Under the council’s plans, the centers will be integrated into the borough’s library service and will be staffed by library staff. However, the union says some libraries do not have the “capacity” to take on the responsibilities of customer service officers because they are designated to be run by volunteers.

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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 Kirklees residents 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 supported by several councillors.

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.”