UNIONS UNITE IN OPPOSITION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Unions have pledged opposition to the local government reform plan of Prime Minister Rajoy which they say will lead to cuts in public services and jobs in Casares. The CCOO and UGT unions said that if the planned reform goes through one third of the workforce in Casares would lose their jobs, that means 67 people joining the dole queue. These workers are already dealing with cuts in health services, education, social welfare and culture and sports. The unions also claimed that the cuts would affect basic services such as ambulances and nursery schools. Union representatives have already met with European unions to discuss a common platform against the cuts, The protest against the planned reform is being supported by the United Left and the Socialist Party, while the Peoples Party has backed the Government's reform measure.