THE Unison branch secretary at Swindon Council has been made redundant by the authority – more than a year after councillors voted to remove taxpayer-funded salaries for two union jobs.

Bob Cretchley and Karla Bradford, who was then assistant branch secretary, used to share a full-time post, which was threatened after the full council decided in February 2012 to withdraw £29,000 in Unison support as part of an efficiency drive.

The move sparked opposition from Unison and other trade unions, which held rallies outside of the Civic Offices, in Euclid Street, to keep the issue in the public’s mind.

Following months of negotiations, the council decided to provide 18.5 hours a week in facilities time funding for union work – which equates roughly to one part-time post – but said that Unison could top this up with its own funds if required.

Mr Cretchley, who had been branch secretary since 2000, has now been dismissed. Ms Bradford, the new branch secretary, remains on part-time hours under the remaining facilities time funding.

He said he was made redundant on March 15, receiving a payment of less than £9,000 for 36 years at the authority, but the announcement was delayed because he appealed unsuccessfully against the dismissal.

He said: “The simple fact is that Swindon Council has a legal requirement to grant paid release for Unison representatives engaged in consultation, negotiation and representation on behalf of the council’s workforce.

“In the current climate of continual change within the council, there is more, not less, need for these trade union duties.

“By axing money that funded my post, a mere £14,500 pa, front-line services will now bear the cost, as Unison stewards will need to be released from their jobs to undertake their legal trade union duties.”

Mr Cretchley said his redundancy came about as a result of a ‘nasty and vindictive attack’ upon Unison by the council, whose administration is ‘dominated by Tories with bigoted, anti-union views’.

Gavin Brooks, Unison’s regional organiser, said: “Their [the council’s] original proposal was to remove all the facilities time offered to Unison, and that was to two individuals.

“That has transpired to be one individual, so are we happy? I wouldn’t say we’re happy because we would have liked to have had everything. But the council wanted nothing and we’ve got something. It’s very much 50-50.”

He said Unison was now in the process of negotiating a recognition and facilities agreement to ensure the representation of its members can be maintained.

He said the union’s legal team was aware of the dismissal, but declined to comment on whether legal action would be taken under employment law.

The council declined to comment.