By Dave Lord

COUNCIL STAFF in Perth and Kinross have launched an astonishing attack on the local authority, blaming poor management for low morale and ill health.

A stinging document, signed by staff from housing area offices throughout the region, suggests industrial action could be on the cards.

With a “service delivery review” under way, council chiefs are accused of failing in their duty of care to staff and criticised for issuing “hollow” promises.

The cash collection office on the Muirton housing estate in Perth has already been shut and other staff clearly fear for their futures.

Numerous housing and community care staff have signed the letter, sent to executive director Dave Roberts, local councillors and Unison.

A copy was yesterday also leaked to The Courier.

It says staff welfare is being ignored and several colleagues are suffering ill health as a result.

“We perceive senior management…to have failed in their duty of care to area office staff over the five-year period of the SDR (service delivery review),” it says.

“At an SDR meeting it was stated that ‘housing staff are crucial to the effective implementation of improvements to service delivery…staff need to believe that proposals for change recommended by the SDR will work. Staff also need to be provided with clear information, training and support to ensure that they have knowledge and understanding to make decisions about their future.’

“Entirely the opposite has happened.”

The letter says staff have been left fearing for their jobs.

“The issue of low morale/fear for our futures is one which has long since been known by you (Mr Roberts) and the senior management team,” it says. “What we have not seen is any attempt at management of the situation.

“The couple of management visits to offices have paid lip service only.”

The letter calls for the SDR to be “put on hold.”

“Our fears include having medical recognition of symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, irritability, headaches…and work-related stress,” the document notes.

“Staff may ultimately be facing redundancy…the SDR has been impacting on the home lives of area staff for years now.”

“We feel strongly that the SDR should be put on hold until such time as it is known what area-based services are required,” it adds.

Staff have contacted trade unions in a bid to secure representation in “taking forward many issues.”

A local authority spokeswoman said, “The council is aware of the issues raised by some of the area housing staff. The council has met with UNISON on an ongoing basis and met with them again this week specifically to discuss the recent issues raised.”

The spokeswoman said local authority chiefs would continue to investigate any areas of concern.