A STRIKE vote failed to win the backing of workers still reeling over cutbacks and redundancies at Southampton City Council.

Around 200 council staff members attended a mass meeting organised by the local government union Unison.

The gathering, which attracted a smaller crowd than anticipated at the Guildhall, was called so staff could hear what cutbacks were made at the marathon 15-hour council meeting last week.

Councillor Peter Jenks, who led the budget process, told employees he took no pleasure in implementing cuts worth £3.5 million and the prospect of 30 job losses.

"I didn't become a councillor and an active trade unionist for 20 years to make cuts," he said.

Workers voted to continue to oppose the cuts and they will refuse to cover vacant posts in protest at the changes.

Staff running the Guildhall are concerned over their future as, under the budget drawn up by the Liberal Democrats and the Labour-led executive, the venue is set to be privatised.

One worker questioned why her leisure bosses were considering bringing in private managers and asked where the profits had gone when she always met her turnover targets.

There is still uncertainty over how many jobs will need to go as several of the posts earmarked for the chop are currently vacant.

"Between 18 to 30 jobs out of a workforce of 9,000 will be affected. I hope that most will go through natural wastage and redeployment," said Mr Jenks.

Staff voted to ballot for strike action in specific areas of the council if compulsory redundancy notices are given out in the coming months.