Leisure services threatened

LEISURE services in Bromley are braced for crippling strike action tomorrow.

Unison members are seeking an assurance of no compulsory redundancies in the wake of recent budget cuts.

The action is expected to hit library services across the borough and pickets could close Bromley Central Library.

Mobile libraries, parks and administrative services will also be affected.

Almost 40 members, whose jobs will be cut, plan to strike and many more may refuse to cross picket lines.

Alternative jobs within the council have been offered to some of the affected workers but others still face the threat of compulsory redundancy if suitable work cannot be found.

And there could be further, longer strikes to come if agreement is not reached.

Unison branch secretary Glenn Kelly said: "At least 10 members are still facing the threat of compulsory redundancy and this is not acceptable.

"If no guarantee is made by Thursday, then the action will go ahead and the impact will be felt across all services.

"Afterwards, we will be meeting with members and the situation could escalate to longer stoppages.

"The cash put aside for pay rises for senior officers could have prevented these cuts and workers are very angry."

Council chief personnel officer Susan Ryall said she hoped the strike could be averted, as efforts were being made to find alternative employment, but admitted no guarantees could be made.

She added: "We are in talks with union representatives and are trying to do everything we can.

"We understand this is a difficult time for staff and we have got further to go. But I hope by Wednesday afternoon we will be able to assess the situation.

"What we can't give is a council-wide guarantee of no compulsory redundancies.

"We would prefer they didn't go on strike, and will try to get rid of the need for them to have to do so."