The union issued a letter to council workers criticising ‘council axemen’ who need to create £17m of savings in the next three years.

The letter labelled the cuts an ‘attack on the very fabric of our society’ and punishing the working class for the mistakes of the government.

It read: “It is a return to Victorian economics, where the poor and working class are made to carry the can and blamed for causing all of the debt. It was not the poor that created the crisis of capital in 2008, but they now have to pay the price for the collapse of the economy. We are in a position where we have privatised the profit, but have nationalised the debt.” The union then called on councillors from all parties to take a stand and speak up for those who voted them in.

“An important step councillors could take is to be candid and vocal that these cuts are damaging and the result of ConDem austerity measures.

“By making public and clear declarations against the cuts councillors can help build the necessary awareness amongst the public that there is an alternative.” The letter continued: “We call on councillors to create an alternative needs based budget — that sets out what is needed to deliver high quality public services and to begin to eliminate the endemic deprivation in West Dunbartonshire.

“We will stand alongside our communities in resisting these cuts. UNISON calls on the elected members of West Dunbartonshire to show that leadership and stand up to austerity.”