Industrial relations: Union blasts council chief in 'terror' row

Martin Kimber, chief executive of Rotherham Council, made his comments at a meeting of voluntary sector representatives.

Local government workers' union Unison reacted furiously yesterday after the comments were broadcast on the Voluntary Action Rotherham website.

Unison's head of local government in Yorkshire and Humberside, Margaret Thomas, said: "It is outrageous to refer to our members as terrorists."

She has demanded an apology and asked Mr Kimber to explain in what context he made the remark. "It is deeply offensive to thousands of hard-working public employees," she added.

"To suggest that people who are opposed to the public sector picking up the bill for the reckless greed of bankers who caused the recession are terrorists is insulting and crass.

"Our members are deeply concerned that, at a time when their jobs and services they provide are under threat, the head of the paid services in Rotherham views them as dangerous enemies."

Mr Kimber yesterday hurriedly issued an apology "unreservedly" to members of staff – but went on to attack the union.

He said: "The trade union has written privately to me about the issue and I have sent a private reply which I believe is the correct way to do business.

"I find it very disturbing that certain colleagues have reacted in the way they have. The comments were made in a meeting with representatives of Rotherham's voluntary and community sector and are now being taken out of context.

"The focus has been turned onto a single phrase used as a change management term which does not have the meaning used in everyday language.

"I believe that staff who work with me on a day-to-day basis would find the suggestion that I view them as dangerous enemies as absurd and would regard me as a supportive colleague."