Up to 850 staff at Oldham Council, in Greater Manchester, face losing their jobs as the authority tries to tackle a budget deficit of more than £17m.
Up to 850 staff at Oldham Council, in Greater Manchester, face losing their jobs as the authority tries to tackle a budget deficit of more than £17m.
Council leader Howard Sykes said it was "critical" that the authority found a way to save money, but added that the plans were still at an early stage.
Council leader Howard Sykes said it was "critical" that the authority found a way to save money, but added that the plans were still at an early stage.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled council said compulsory redundancies would be a "last resort".
The Liberal Democrat-controlled council said compulsory redundancies would be a "last resort".
The authority is Oldham's biggest employer with nearly 5,000 staff.
The authority is Oldham's biggest employer with nearly 5,000 staff.
Councillors met trade union representatives on Thursday to discuss the proposed cuts, which the authority said would not affect any schools.
Councillors met trade union representatives on Thursday to discuss the proposed cuts, which the authority said would not affect any schools.
Staff found out details of the cuts when they arrived at work on Friday.
Staff found out details of the cuts when they arrived at work on Friday.
Staffing costs
Staffing costs
Mr Sykes said: "The fact is that the council has to find £17.3m of savings to balance next year's budget.
Mr Sykes said: "The fact is that the council has to find £17.3m of savings to balance next year's budget.
"Staffing costs, like those of a lot of other councils up and down the country, are a big part of our overall budget, so it is inevitable that we should explore the potential for savings in this area.
"Staffing costs, like those of a lot of other councils up and down the country, are a big part of our overall budget, so it is inevitable that we should explore the potential for savings in this area.
My reaction is shock Phil Woolas MP "The proposed savings are critical in our efforts to provide the borough's residents with the value-for-money services they quite rightly expect."
My reaction is shock Phil Woolas MP "The proposed savings are critical in our efforts to provide the borough's residents with the value-for-money services they quite rightly expect."
Phil Woolas, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, is meeting council bosses to discuss the proposals.
Phil Woolas, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, is meeting council bosses to discuss the proposals.
"My reaction is shock," he said.
"My reaction is shock," he said.
"We had a very good settlement in the grants this year from the government, the best in the region, at 6%."
"We had a very good settlement in the grants this year from the government, the best in the region, at 6%."
Mr Woolas said that he was unclear whether the jobs cuts were part of an "options paper" rather than specific cuts.
Mr Woolas said that he was unclear whether the jobs cuts were part of an "options paper" rather than specific cuts.
Councillor Lynne Thompson, the Liberal Democrats' finance spokeswoman said compulsory redundancies would be kept to "a minimum".
Councillor Lynne Thompson, the Liberal Democrats' finance spokeswoman said compulsory redundancies would be kept to "a minimum".
"It is a last, last resort," she said.
"It is a last, last resort," she said.
"We'll be looking at voluntary options, we'll be looking at options which don't involve staff like rationalising use of buildings and if it comes to compulsory redundancies we will be supporting them."
"We'll be looking at voluntary options, we'll be looking at options which don't involve staff like rationalising use of buildings and if it comes to compulsory redundancies we will be supporting them."
The Liberal Democrats took control of the authority in May from Labour.
The Liberal Democrats took control of the authority in May from Labour.
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