A HUNDRED council workers face a bleak Christmas after it was revealed they are to be forced to reapply for their own jobs.

Lewisham Council has announced it is to drastically change its building services department cutting 29 positions and redeploying 88 in a new structure.

One worker, too scared to be identified for fear of dismissal, says staff are desperately worried they are to lose their jobs.

But the council says the restructuring is part of a plan aimed at providing better value for council tax payers by ploughing money into front-line services and spending less on administration.

And it says it will help the 29 redundant staff find new jobs.

Building services department staff, whose work includes maintenance to council properties, have to start reapplying for their jobs next month with appointments being made in March.

The restructuring will see two of the department's three depots merged.

This will leave only two centres to service more than 25,000 properties.

The 47-year-old worker told News Shopper the council's head of environment Nigel Tyrell is due to speak with workers at Sydenham building depot, Willow Way, to discuss the proposals today.

But the father-of-one, who has worked for the council for 18 years, is sceptical of its redeployment scheme helping people find alternative roles in the new structure.

He said: "They will hold interviews to formally look good but then tell us we are not suitable for the roles.

"The jobs on offer are well below the grade we are on now.

"I'm absolutely disgusted. It's Lewisham Council's way of saying Happy Christmas to its employees.

"What a time to tell us. They are playing with us."

"My life would be ruined if I lost my job, I have a mortgage to pay and a child to feed."

He also voiced fears agency staff will be brought in to provide cover for redundant staff.

A council spokesman said: "We have a duty to provide a first-class service to our residents at the best value, which can sometimes mean tough decisions need to be made.

"The restructure is about spending every available penny on front-line services to support our customers' needs.

"The new structure will free up much more time and money to spend on more building repairs and maintenance.

"It will also mean less money will be spent on administration."