UNISON members from the Redcar and Cleveland branch are today protesting against cuts and job losses at the council with a Wear It Black Day.
The branch has invited all colleagues to wear black today – the day when many of the council’s employees will be issued final notices of redundancy as a result of cuts being imposed by the government.
Union stewards are distributing black ribbons.
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop has said that he will wear a black tie in Parliament in solidarity with the protest, while Labour’s candidate for Redcar, Anna Turley, has also spoken out in support.
UNISON branch secretary Andrew Tickle said: “We’re pleased our Wear It Black campaign has sparked a public debate. It is important that everyone understands the impact these job losses and cuts to public services will have on the families of hardworking council staff, the local economy and the most vulnerable people in our community.
“The Tories and Liberal Democrats blame public spending, but they fail to mention that the deficit arose mainly due to public money having to bail out private sector banks.
“Now they reward the wealthiest with tax breaks while punishing the rest of us with redundancies and cuts to vital services.”
To find out more, see facebook.com/RedcarUNISON and twitter.com/RedcarUNISON, and the hashtag #WearItBlack.