A ballot for strike action  over two compulsory redundancies at Kirklees Council   has been lost.

And it’s believed to be the first time  Kirklees Unison has lost a ballot of  its kind.

Turnout is not yet known, but last  night it emerged members voted  56.7% to 43.3% not to strike.

Paul Holmes, Branch Secretary  described the result as disappointing  and said: “At the end of the day, 43%  of our members voted for all-out  strike action and the size of that  “dissatisfied” group will only grow  with future attacks.”

He blamed the media and politicians “almost constant, incessant  calls for more austerity” which has  affected the mood of members. 

“People are constantly being told  that “you’re lucky to have a job”. 

“It is sad that Kirklees Council felt  the need to make two low-paid staff  redundant when, within four months  of the redundancies, the council has  advertised 100 vacancies in  jobs in schools that would  have been suitable for the  two workers made compulsorily redundant.”

He believes employers are trying to frighten  employees and cut terms  and conditions by using  the economic downturn  as a weapon.

Mr Holmes added:  “It is a sad day for  the union but we  will recover. 

“I have no  doubt, whatsoever, that the  council will come back for more.”

The ballot was prompted by events  in January when two female workers  at Ashbrow Junior School were made  compulsorily redundant.

It prompted Kirklees Unison to  ballot its 6,500  members to consider industrial action.

Unison claimed that a council which underspent last year  should not be making low-paid  part-time workers redundant.

But top Kirklees officials  spoke out, with the council’s  chief executive spending thousands  writing to every staff member urging  them to vote. It was a move branded  “a waste of money” by one member.

Chief Executive Adrian Lythgo said: “I'm committed to keep improving communication and engagement with our staff throughout this difficult time. I look forward to working positively and well with all our trade unions to protect as many jobs and services as we can. My focus will always be providing the best possible services for our residents and to do that we need to support and talk with our staff.”

Yesterday Unison members  at the National Coal Mining  Museum voted unanimously to  accept a two-year pay deal. 

The employer, a not-for-profit  organisation, proposed a 1% pay  increase in April.

Following “constructive and positive” negotiations, Unison  developed and submitted a counter  pay claim worth more than double  what was originally on the table.

Members voted to accept a 1% for  2012/13 backdated to 1 April 2012  and a further 1% for 2013/14 backdated to 1 April 2013.