Middlesbrough Council has done a "cracking job" in minimising the number of job losses as a result of its budget cuts, according to Unison.
Branch secretary Ian Campbell said the authority fared well in comparison with other North-east councils when it came to dealing with redundancies.
Mayor Ray Mallon last night announced his proposals for 2014-15 as the council slashes £14.1m from its budget.
Around 220 staff will lose their jobs as part of the plans, following on from 600 job losses last year.
Mr Campbell said the impact on workers and their families was the most important aspect of the process.
"When we talk about jobs it's easy to separate from the people and families affected," Mr Campbell said.
"There is a big personal cost in the jobs being lost."
Mr Campbell added the national deficit was "not created by public service workers".
"It was caused by bankers in London not the people of Middlesbrough," he said.
Mr Campbell said the council has worked in partnership with the unions to minimise job losses.
"Compared to other councils in the North-east, in my opinion, they have done a cracking job.
"I expect that partnership to continue with these job losses."
He also said that by increasing the use of IT was the “lesser of two evils” compared to losing frontline jobs.
“I believe the council seems to have a good strategic plan for regenerating the town and increasing the income it’s going to get.”
Mr Mallon last night also set out plans to increase council tax by up to 2% for the next financial year.
He said the move "was not popular, but it was right" as the council attempted to cover its escalating bill of looking after elderly people in the town.
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