Construction union UCATT are calling for Birmingham Council to urgently intervene to prevent the loss of a third of council housing maintenance workers' jobs in the city.

UCATT has learned that two housing contractors Willmott Dixon and Mears who both hold housing maintenance contracts with Birmingham council are planning to make large-scale job cuts. UCATT understands that Willmott Dixon intend to make 151 staff redundant, while the figure for Mears is 51. The job losses are on top of 50 workers recently made redundant from capital projects.


The job cuts will result in only basic repairs being able to be conducted on Birmingham’s housing stock and will lead to the long term deterioration of the properties. Modernisation and upgrading of the properties will also be seriously affected. The job losses will affect both the north and south of the city.

Steve Murphy, Regional Secretary for UCATT Midlands region, said: "The extent of the proposed job losses is entirely unacceptable. It will simply be impossible for the remaining staff to maintain the existing level of service. Tenants will suffer. Repairs times will increase and the quality of the service will decrease."

UCATT further understands that Cllr John Lyons the housing portfolio holder of Birmingham Council has not been consulted about the excessive job losses.

(CD/GK)