Caithness trade union reps want assurances over staff changes

LOCAL trade union representatives are to seek clarification on staffing changes between the Highland Council and NHS Highland.

Members of the Thurso and Wick Trade Union Council heard at their meeting in Thurso on Monday night that all adult services in the Highland Council will transfer to the health authority while all children’s services will move to the council. The changes will affect 1400 and 400 people respectively.

Trade union representatives want to know what the implications of the plan will be for the employees and what it involves. In addition, they want to know if NHS Highland will get extra funding for the additional staff.

Members also heard that employees in leisure centres, libraries and community centres are being transferred to a Highland Council arm’s-length organisation called High Life Highland as from October 1.

Meanwhile, the reps have called for a meeting with local MSP Rob Gibson.

Davy Alexander brought the issue up on Monday night.

“There are a number of issues we should be addressing with him,” he said.

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