OVER 100 hundred Inverclyde Council workers have been warned they could lose their jobs because of future cutbacks.

They have been called to meetings arranged by management to tell them their jobs are potentially at risk in a couple of years.

The posts are right across the council’s range of services, including education and social work, but Municipal Buildings bosses hope to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Council leader Stephen McCabe told the Telegraph that the financial problems will arise during the 2016-17 financial year because of a cut in grant funding from the Scottish Government, inflation and an expected continuation of the council tax freeze.

Councillor McCabe, inset, said: “It could be December next year before the Scottish Government tell us what our allocation will be for the financial year starting in April 2016.

“Our officers have identified £10 million of savings over the next three years, and we are discussing these proposals with the trade unions, with whom we have a good working relationship.

“A range of possible savings will also go out to public consultation.

“But it is important before then that we speak to employees who may be affected so they are aware of any potential impact on their individual positions.

“We have avoided compulsory redundancies so far, and I would hope we can manage the job reduction process through redeployment and voluntary severance.

“It will be a tall order, and it’s not to say that any reduction in jobs is not painful, but hopefully we can manage it.” Union leaders believe compulsory job losses will be avoided but fear that the changes will have a damaging impact on the services the council provides to members of the public.

Unison branch secretary, Robin Taggart, says around 150 people could be affected.

He said: “It is unlikely there will be any compulsory redundancies.

“People have been called to meetings, but there is no guarantee their jobs will be affected.

“That, however, doesn’t mean the effect will not be hugely felt.” He added: “It will also mean a reduction in services, which, yet again, will have to be managed by fewer people — services will not be able to continue as normal.”