Jake Berry MP questions Blackburn with Darwen Council’s £94,800 trade union costs
At a time when bus services being cut and the citizens advice bureau is being closed there is a serious question mark over such expenditure.
Jake Berry said:
‘It is appalling that the Labour Council appears to be giving jobs to the boys when its priority should be on providing residents with essential services. Local taxpayers should rightly expect value for money when it is their tax funds that are being used. At a time when budgets are extremely tight, can the Council really tell constituents that a £94,800 bill exclusively for trade union activities is money well spent? If the Council cannot find £10,000 to keep a bus service open or find funding for the CAB in Darwen then how can it justify subsidising an external organisation such as a trade union.’
Jake added:
‘The Council already has an HR department and local trade union representatives across various departments to deal with discussions between itself, trade unions and members of staff. If the trade unions believe that their additional presence at the Council is essential, then why are they not paying for it themselves rather than expecting taxpayers to pick up the tab?’
Individuals employed by public bodies as full-time taxpayer-funded trade union officials have been dubbed "Pilgrims" in the media after Jane Pilgrim. Jane Pilgrim came to public attention because, despite being billed as a nurse, she was found to be a full-time trade union official, receiving a £40,000 salary from an NHS hospital.
A recent request for information from Blackburn with Darwen Council revealed that the Council has provided for the trade unions an office facility with associated IT and funding for 3 secondments at a total estimated cost of £94,800 for 2011/12.
.jpg)
