COUNCIL staff have been left fighting for their jobs and are being interviewed to stay in restructured posts, according to angry union bosses who have branded it a “sick joke”.

Southend Council is the midst of reshaping some of its services and departments in response to the costof-living crisis, as well as changes in demand across the city.

But unions GMB and Unison claim part of the restructure has seen staff told to re-interview for new business support roles, adding those failing to hit a specific score are essentially being “sacked”.

The unions further claim some council staff have already quit their jobs in “despair” at the proposals, leaving more “posts than people”.

Unison branch secretary, Claire Wormald, said: “We face a cost-ofliving crisis and the threat of a recession.

“This is the worst time for people to end up out of work and it’s madness to cut yet more jobs in Southend.

“We ask councillors to step up and end this threat.”

READ MORE >>>

GMB branch secretary, Jean Taberner, added: “Our members are all experienced and trained in the jobs they do to support our local services.

“It feels like a sick joke to expect them to carry on delivering those same services but then get rid of them, using tick boxes about values and behaviours.”

Opposition councillors have also expressed their surprise and dismay at the proposals.

Tony Cox, leader of the Southend Conservatives said: “If there are going to be redundancies, the workers should be redeployed to other areas of the council. They are making savings in the wrong way.”

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “The council needs to ensure the right services are delivered. This changes over time as demand changes.

“As a result, the council needs to be responsive to the needs of residents, businesses and visitors, and as these requirements change, so does our service delivery. This can lead to reshaping some services and staff leaving the organisation.

“How the council manages and engages its workforce in service and structure changes is in line with council policy and best practice.

“The council is also affected by the cost-of-living crisis, rising inflation and costs, reducing budgets and increased demand, and will need to continue to make difficult decisions about where to focus the most important services and what services may need to change.”