Union ‘sickened’ by redundancy plans at nursery in Northampton though council disputes claims

A Northampton nursery is facing scrutiny from a union as plans to make some members of staff redundant are unearthed.

Gloucester Nursery in Camborne Close off Towcester Road is planning to lay off three part-time members of staff pending appeal hearings.

GMB Union, a trade union that represents workers at the county council run nursery, has said it is ‘sickened’ by these plans.

Representatives for the union believe the redundancies ignore Government advice to avoid restructuring while the country is facing the Covid-19 pandemic.

However Northamptonshire County Council disputes these accusations and claims the redundancy discussions began before the Government advice on coronavirus was issued.

David Warwick, a GMB organiser, said: “The ice-hearted behaviour of the management towards the staff here is sickening.

“This is a proud and brilliant nursery with dedicated staff members who are now facing the sack in the middle of a global pandemic.

“The nursery is the heart of this community and we demand any talk of firing staff is halted immediately. It’s causing great anguish to the workers and uncertainty for the parents and children.”

The union also claims that the redundancies are in response to a predicted fall in admissions for this September, as well as an anticipated budget shortfall.

GMB representatives believe there will, however, be a greater need for nursery staff once more children start to return to nursery in smaller classes.

The county council does not dispute the budget shortfall, but it does argue against claims that the redundancies go against Government coronavirus advice, as it claims the consultation began in mid-March.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “The redundancy consultation had to be initiated in response to a budget shortfall in 2020/2021 and is unrelated to the Covid-19 crisis.

“The budget shortfall remains an issue the nursery has to address.

“Consultation with staff and recognised trade unions commenced on March 13 and has been ongoing.

“Given the Covid-19 situation and the social distancing measures brought in, consultation has been carried out using other methods to face to face conversations.

“Consultation does not need to be face to face in order to be meaningful and appropriate measures and support have been put in place to ensure that this was carried out.”

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