Coalition further opens door for private companies to take-over
public services
13 December 2010
A further chipping away at the public service ethos, and the pay
and conditions of public sector employees was condemned by Unite,
the largest union in the country, today (Monday, 13 December).
Unite, which has 250,000 members in the public sector, was
responding to the coalition’s announcement that it was withdrawing
the code of practice on workforce matters, which is also known as
the "two-tier code".
This code had ensured that new employees working alongside
former public sector workers in outsourced services got public
sector benefits, such as the same pay and pensions – but this will
no longer be the case.
Unite’s Assistant General Secretary for Public Services, Gail
Cartmail said: ‘This is further evidence that the government is
progressively chipping away at the public service ethos and we are
now faced with private companies putting downward pressure on wages
and terms in the race to gain contracts.’
‘Today's announcement applies to central government contracts.
Cabinet Office minister, Frances Maude is writing to all relevant
Cabinet members and we are expecting a domino effect. The biggest
issue is on comparable pensions for new starters.’
‘This is all part of the coalition’s bigger agenda of
privatising and outsourcing as many government services as possible
in the misguided belief that by private firms squeezing workers’
conditions to make more profits, a better service will ensue. The
very opposite is likely to happen.’
-ends-
Note to news editors:
For further information, please ring Shaun Noble, Unite
communications officer on 07768 693940
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