Council workers could strike over budget cuts which have been described as a ‘sell-out’ for the city of Dundee.
Union bosses warned that industrial action is inevitable after councillors voted through £23 million of controversial budget cuts at a stormy meeting on Thursday night.
And Labour councillors described Dundee as “sold out” accusing the SNP administration of causing long-term damage to the city and its people.
The budget will see 200 jobs lost, which union leaders have described as unacceptable.
Labour’s Lesley Brennan said: “This budget will harm everyone in Dundee and it will become ‘sold-out city’.”
Drew Duffy, of the GMB union, said the vote wasn’t the end of the matter and that union members and council workers would come back fighting.
He added: “Industrial action is a very strong possibility as we find ways to fight these Draconian cuts which will affect all aspects of life in Dundee.
“For too long the people of Dundee have taken what the council has thrown at them, but this budget is going too far
“We will now be considering our next moves. This could involve industrial action and if union members consider strike action is appropriate then that will happen.
“Other measures, including working to rule, will be considered.”
After more than three hours of debate, councillors voted by 14 votes to two to approve £23 million of budget cuts affecting jobs and services throughout the city. The Labour group’s 11 councillors abstained.
Children, the elderly, charity groups and local volunteers are all to have their funding cut by thousands of pounds.
Frontline services including street lighting and roads maintenance will also be affected with charges increasing for leisure facilities and car parking.
Mr Duffy said the loss of 45 jobs in the environment department will also result in parks and streets not being maintained to the same standards.
And thousands of pounds are to be cut from 15 children’s charities.
Barnardo’s, One Parent Families Scotland and Action for Children will share a £120,000 reduction in funding.
Changes to social care services are also expected to affect vulnerable groups, including the elderly.
Patrick Delargy, senior manager with Age Concern Dundee, said the reduction in services could seriously affect the quality of life of older people. He said: “A reduction in respite care is a big worry.
“We have a lot of clients and their families who rely on these services.
“If families can’t cope and the person they are caring for then requires full-time, long-term care from the state, then that is of a huge cost.
“Funeral costs are something that a lot of our clients are particularly anxious about. They are a big worry and obviously at a time when people are very emotional. A lot of older, vulnerable people do get quite concerned about these things, so the increase in burial and cremation costs is really very concerning.
“The reduction in road maintenance is a worry, as is anything that makes it harder for people to walk on surfaces, with elderly people at risk from falls.
“Any reduction in service which affects an elderly or vulnerable person can have a very serious effect on their quality of life.”