Trade unions have signalled an intention to protest against proposed public sector job cuts in Aberdeen, refusing to rule out the possibility of taking strike action over the next few weeks.

Liberal Democrat and SNP-controlled Aberdeen City Council announced earlier this week that it would issue around 900 compulsory redundancies and representatives have accused the local authority of being unwilling to discuss the matter.

“We think there are other steps which can be taken to cut costs,” a spokesperson for Unison explained. “We will be vigorously opposing the number of and extent of the redundancies in local consultations going forward.”

Members of Unison, Ucatt, Unite, the GMB and Educational Institute of Scotland have met to discuss a possible strategy of action against the cutbacks. The council insists it has been left with “no alternative” but to sack workers.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City Councils have confirmed they will lay off thousands of employees in the coming years, each blaming their respective central government settlements.

Posted by Cameron Thomson