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For Immediate Release: Wednesday 30th
March 2011
Paul Wheelhouse, SNP Candidate for
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire has welcomed the news that
Scottish Borders Council has agreed a landmark deal with unions
in order to avoid staff facing compulsory redundancies.
Commenting on the deal, Paul said:
“This is excellent news. While it involves
compromise on both sides and requires pay constraint for a period
which will not be easy, the fact that workers in my constituency
will now have a degree of job security, knowing they do not face
the threat of redundancy, will enable them to invest in their
families' futures and have some certainty over their lives.
Those planning on starting a family or buying a house can now do so
with a little more confidence and this will not only help prevent
the local economy going into reverse, but it will also aid the
economic recovery.
“This deal, for which Council Officers and
the unions are to be congratulated, will not only protect jobs but
also help foster a common purpose between management and staff. This
will I hope allow both sides to focus on service delivery and
collaborate in achieving efficiency savings while maintaining
service quality.
“In effect there is an implicit contract
and understanding with unions, of the kind that has worked well in
Scandinavian countries, and which I hope will have lasting impact
for future relations.”
Giving his view on the news, Scottish
Finance Secretary John Swinney said:
"This vindicates the approach the sensible
approach the SNP Government has taken to manage the financial
challenges ahead.
"If people have the fear of compulsory
redundancy removed then they are able to plan for the future of
themselves and their families – and that preserves jobs and helps
the wider economy.
"That is why the SNP with Alex Salmond as
First Minister has already secured an agreement with the Scottish
Government unions for no compulsory redundancies and is seeking to
see it expanded across the public sector.
"In this election we will campaign for it
and if the people re-elect the SNP Government we will secure the
prize of no compulsory redundancies and the economic security that
it brings for families across Scotland."
ENDS
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