Local government employees believe
better management and an end to pay cuts and deteriorating conditions will lead
to improved services, according to a Unison survey.
Almost three-quarters of the 4,500
people surveyed believe workloads have increased in the last year. Over one-third
report cuts in staff numbers.
The report, Making a Difference
Under Pressure – Unison Members Delivering Local Services 2001, is
published on the day that Stephen Byers, the minister responsible for local
government, is due to address the union’s annual conference in Brighton.
“Staff working for local councils
are doing a good job, and want to do even better. But cutting their pay and
conditions and threatening them with privatisation is not the answer,"
said Malcolm Wing, Unison’s head of local government.
“Employees want more input into how the
services are run as well as better management. Also managers working under
considerable pressure to deliver with shrinking budgets, and staff shortages
need better support,” he said.
