Rhondda Cynon Taf Council faces an expected cut of £60m over the next three years as a result of the Coalition Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.
“Its main focus as it strives to meet the challenges of the financial cuts from the UK Government is introduce new terms and conditions for staff in the hopes of avoiding compulsory redundancies, a course of action that has been taken by other local authorities.
“As such, it has entered a process of formal consultation, discussion and negotiation with the Trade Unions relating to the terms and conditions of staff.
“This process could only begin once the Council had met its legal obligation to issue a section 188 notice.
“It must be made clear the Section 188 notice has been issued to the Trade Unions, not individual staff, and has been issued to allow consultation to begin.
“The Section 188 gives notice of a statutory period of consultation that will last no less than 90 days and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is keen to begin meaningful and positive discussions with the Trade Unions and staff.
“At the outset of this process, the Council’s Chief Executive directly communicated the logic and rational of these potential changes which were likely to be considered.
“The authority is committed to securing collective agreement to new terms and conditions that will avoid the need for compulsory redundancies.
“The Council’s paramount objective is to protect local jobs and safeguard important frontline services.”
