Charity staff may strike over cuts

STAFF at one of Edinburgh's oldest charities could be set to strike after its future was left hanging in the balance.

• Hannah Lister spoke out to support the charity

Councillors have approved a recommendation to begin a 30-day consultation period on the future of BlindCraft, which employs around 70 people - more than half of whom are blind or disabled.

The Evening News has already revealed how the city council was proposing to reduce its annual subsidy of more than 1 million by at least 700,000.

Following yesterday's vote at a meeting of the full council, the fate of the historic Craigmillar company will now be decided in November.

The firm, which was hit by a slump in sales during the recession, faces being closed down altogether or dramatically scaled back.

Campaigners fighting to save the organisation believe yesterday's decision all but sounds the death knell for the charity.

Service and conditions co- ordinator for the Unison union, Kevin Duguid, said: "Technically, by moving into the consultation period the council is not saying the charity will close, but it is our view that that is where this is heading.

"The council decision effectively means they are now consulting on redundancies. I will be liaising with other union colleagues on the possibility of industrial action, and there is a very strong possibility of that."

A group of campaigners, led by student Hannah Lister, 21, attended the meeting to show their support for BlindCraft.

Miss Lister told councillors that the charity provided a "lifeline" to many vulnerable individuals. "I speak from personal experience - a family friend has worked for BlindCraft for many years and people like him get up in the morning, go to work and feel like they have contributed to society," she said.

"Putting them in a position where they won't be able to work any more can only take away that inclusion."

BlindCraft employee David Anderson, who suffers from cerebellar ataxia, has worked for the company for nearly 14 years and fears he would never be able to gain employment elsewhere if the charity closed.

The 43-year-old from Penicuik, who is a representative for the Community Union which is also fighting to keep BlindCraft open, said: "I was disappointed with the decision but not totally surprised. If BlindCraft was to close, I don't think I would be able to find another job again. It was a lifeline to me.

"I want to contribute to my future, I don't just want to rely on benefits to get by."

He added: "I wouldn't rule strike action out but it wouldn't be something we would jump into."

Labour councillor Lesley Hinds, who stressed the importance of the charity, proposed referring the matter to the health, social care and housing committee prior to making a final decision, but councillors voted 40 to 18 in favour of the 30-day consultation.

Councillors also failed to rule out compulsory redundancies when discussing the local authority's long-term financial plans and savings measures.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "Compulsory redundancies would be an absolute last resort but in all honesty, I cannot say there will not be one single compulsory redundancy."

nThe council has officially appointed its first female chief executive.

Sue Bruce, 54, will take over the role from Tom Aitchison. Her appointment was ratified by the full council yesterday.

Voters say city summit was 'sham'

COUNCIL bosses have vowed to make changes to a series of "budget summits" discussing upcoming cuts to services after the events were branded a "sham".

A series of six summits has been planned for taxpayers to have their say on which council services should be slashed to make 90 million of savings over the next three years.But a straw poll taken at the end of a two-hour public consultation on Wednesday night showed 90 per cent of attendees were "dissatisfied" with the process following sustained criticism of the questions on which they were asked to vote.

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's finance convener, said: "The first meeting showed that debate is clearly more important than the questions. We need to build in more time for members of the public to bring forward their ideas, suggestions and views."

Further meetings are planned for across the Capital, culminating in a city-wide summit at the Scotsman Publications on Holyrood Road on October 15.