Threat of strike over care plan

Staff have threatened strike action over plans to close down care homes for the elderly and disabled in Staffordshire

Bosses of a number of unions who turned out to support their staff at a protest yesterday have vowed to do "anything within their powers" to stop, or at least delay, the closures, even if it means industrial action. Shutting down the homes for the elderly will affect 1,100 staff employed in care homes and the council has admitted redundancies are inevitable.

Neil Salter, of the Transport and General Workers Union, has asked the council to delay proceedings to listen to the unions.

He said: "We consider that this is less about market economics and more about the fact that Staffordshire County Council has a distinct social responsibility to discharge towards the people of Staffordshire.

"We are gravely concerned about the impact the recommendations will have, if agreed, on services, communities and the workforce."

The strength of feeling of protesters was felt throughout yesterday's cabinet as people who congregated outside County Buildings in Stafford used loudhailers to disrupt proceedings.

Despite jeering, deputy council leader Councillor John Taylor was determined not to get involved in a row with the public gallery.

He said: "The County Council has closed homes in the past and it has happened very well. We are not getting involved in a debate, I am telling you facts."

By Sally Walmsley