UNION leaders claim that as many as 1,000 jobs could be axed at Scarborough Health Trust over the next few years. They have not ruled out industrial action if health chiefs insist on going ahead with controversial plans to save £28m.

Unions point out that a report, presented to health trust board members on July 24, said: "In 2010 the trust will have income of approximately £100 million and will employ over 1,500 actual full and part time staff."

But Ray Gray, lead organiser for Unison, says there could be more job losses than the 600 proposed.

He said: "Page 18 of the same board report reveals the trust currently employs 2,523 people – the maths is simple and, if it's true, could mean getting rid of 1,000 jobs in the next three years."

Mr Gray said yesterday's union meeting, which included representatives of the GMB, Unite, Unison and the RCN, was aimed at agreeing a collective approach.

He said:  "The trade unions have unanimously decided to campaign against these cuts which we believe will devastate health services in the area.
"We appreciate the huge financial difficulties faced by the trust but we can't accept that the board's proposals represent the best way forward for anyone."

Terry Cunliffe, senior regional organiser with Unite, said: "We are unanimous in our opposition to these proposals and will take whatever action is necessary to defend jobs and cuts in service."

Ken vincent, regional organiser with the GMB, added: "We are totally opposed to any compulsory redundancies. Reports by managers produced so far are full of inconsistencies and we need accurate information before we can decide on any course of action.

A spokeswoman for the Trust said: "The plans will be taken to the September Board meeting and speculation in the meantime is inaccurate and unhelpful."

Dear Mick,

The Free Press coverage was good today, but things still look bad for Bridlington Hospital and it is obvious you can't trust anything the Trust says.  It looks as if going through normal channels doesn't work.

I don't know if this helps at all, but I am reminded of the old Robin Hood tales where the appointed authorities were barons only interested in depriving ordinary people in their care of essential services so they could make a lot of money and get fat salaries.  Official channels didn't work for the ordinary people then either.  In fact, other than going outlaw, an ordinary victim of injustice had only one extraordinary option - the right to present his case and make personal appeal to the ruling Monarch.

The page from today's Free Press is quite appealing and presented together with a short letter including something like:  "Charity begins at home and our people are suffering.  Can you help?" Could maybe move to action either The Queen (Who will not be used to receiving many direct appeals these days), or Gordon Brown (who wants to quickly create a good impression so he can call and win the next (General Election), or Bono the lead singer for U2 (who knows Bob Geldoff and is on friendly terms with Gordon Brown, once being involved with him in charity appeals re Africa).

Although Trusts will probably be eroding health facilities up and down the country, our plight is the most severe and receiving national media coverage due to the alarming number of job cuts.  Thus, although the chances of a positive result from the above suggestion are admittedly unlikely, our plight is already known sympathetically and a long shot is better than none when all else fails.

Obviously the Mental Health Trust will be reluctant to spend money on keeping wards open in a hospital already under threat of closure, so therefore that threat needs removing long term.

I do hope this helps and continue to wish you well in your fight to retain facilities at our hospital.

Best wishes, Stephen Whittell.

Industrial Action at Scarborough Hospital not ruled out

For immediate release

Unite the Union today met with Scarborough Hospital to discuss proposed job losses and service cuts.

The Trust announced 600 job cuts to staff two weeks ago, accounting for a third of the Trusts total workforce. The proposed cuts, to deal with a £10.2 million deficit, will result in the closure of three wards.  Terry Cunliffe, Unite Regional Officer was at the meeting:

"The trade unions have unanimously decided to fight against these cuts which will devastate local health services. All unions are opposed to compulsory redundancies. Our role is to work with our members and the Trust to improve services and we do not believe that this can be achieved by atrocious job cuts." "The unions jointly agree that we require honesty, openness and meaningful consultation and for the Trust to provide us with all relevant information. At present we are not considering industrial action but we will not rule it out."

Jobs and wards at Bridlington and Scarborough hospitals are under threat. - Ends-