UNION members in Greenwich will consider striking following a decision to transfer management of the borough’s library services to Greenwich Leisure Limited.

At a Greenwich Council cabinet meeting last night, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the transfer to shouts of “shame on you” from the public gallery.

Unite branch secretary Onay Kasab spoke at the meeting and raised concerns about the lack of public consultation.

He said: “We have 1300 responses from members of the borough, library users, saying no to this proposal.

“We have just been through a sham of a consultation – three public meetings were put on on short notice and then cancelled on short notice.”

He added that Unite union members had already taken an indicative poll and if the proposal was agreed, they would have no option but to consider industrial action.

Protestors are concerned that a transfer of the libraries could see increased charges and facilities closed along with cuts to workers’ pay and conditions.

Addressing the packed room council leader Chris Roberts said: “In terms of closures, there are no closures planned and one thing that would happen to some of the libraries would be to expand the provision of library services.”

He added that any change in the decision would be for the council and not for Greenwich Leisure Limited.

The leisure trust currently leases the council’s facilities under a contractual arrangement to deliver services to residents.