“Don’t privatise transport services” warn unions
29th June 2009
Unite, the UK’s biggest union, and Unison are calling on North
Somerset council to put a stop to plans to privatise transport
services, warning that the council is cost cutting before meeting
peoples' needs.
Unite and Unison drivers currently undergo vigorous testing to
ensure they are capable of driving disabled young people across the
region. Tests include driver training, eye sight tests,
understanding the meaning of disabilities and frequent driver
assessments. The unions believe the privatisation of the service
will mean these stringent measures will be lost.
In a joint letter to the chief executive, Mr Turner, the unions
accuse the council of failing to undertake a proper consultation or
a business risk assessment over outsourcing, due to take place in
January 2010.
Steve Preddy, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “North
Somerset council has completely failed to consult effectively with
the unions and employees.
“The council's economic arguments just don’t stack up and were
poorly put together. Unite has constantly asked for more
information from the council but it has simply not been helpful and
has had to be dragged into consultation.
“Young people with disabilities have particular needs and the
council must cut no corners in delivering these, which is why the
tests must stay. North Somerset council must set aside dogma and
concentrate on meeting its citizens' needs.”
Ian Ducat, Unison regional secretary, added; “North Somerset
council would be ill advised to push ahead with privatising
transport services. At the moment they have a top safety record,
but privatisation will put this at risk. It will also leave
disabled children at the mercy of a contractor. The safety of these
vulnerable young people must come before profits.
“When you consider the council’s transport department is making
money, it blows the economic efficiency argument out of the water.
The council has repeatedly failed to consult the staff providing
these services and need to put a stop to these damaging plans.”
ENDS
More information call Mark Di-Toro in the Unite press office on
020 7420 8938 or the Unison Press Office on 0207 551 1555.
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