Dorchester workers to unite over council cuts protest (From Dorset Echo)

Dorchester workers to unite over council cuts protest

10:02am Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Harry Hogger

HUNDREDS of demonstrators are set to march through Poundbury and Dorchester tomorrow in a protest at the latest round of proposed council cuts.

The Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland and District Trades Union Council has organised the event, which will start at The Great Field in Poundbury at 10am and finish with a rally at the bottom of Dorchester’s South Street.

Tim Nicholls, secretary of the Trades Union Council said they have told the police to expect around 500 people to be involved in the march but organisers will be happy with a turnout of over 250.

He urged public sector workers or anyone upset at the prospect of further cuts to council services to come along and join in. The demonstration comes as members of Dorset County Council prepare to vote on whether to agree a further £10.9million of cuts in the coming financial year.

Joining the march will be representatives of Unison.

Dorset branch secretary Pamela Jefferies said her union decided to support the event after seeing council papers detailing the scale of the cuts Dorset County Council faces in coming years.

She said: “We are encouraging all UNISON members and the public to show their love for our public services by joining the march against the cuts. “The £11 million cuts in the year ahead are going to decimate public services but this is only a taste of what is to follow. “The council will have two more years of cutting in excess of £13 million a year.”

Mrs Jefferies added that it was unfair that people receiving services delivered by Dorset County Council were having to pay the price of the financial problems inflicted by the banking industry.

The council will decide on Thursday whether to agree the latest round of cuts.

What do you think?

Are you taking part in the march? If so get in touch with us newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk or call 01305 830999