Press release from Barnet Unison:

“On Thursday 9 February, hundreds of Barnet council *UNISON members will go on strike.

Barnet council workers are fighting Barnet council plans to mass-outsource council services and jobs to the private sector. The council is proceeding with a £750m “support and customer services project” where a private company will be engaged to deliver services like council estates, finance, human resources, information systems, procurement, revenues and benefits and project management services. Unison estimates job losses of between about 190 and 250 for workers in these areas.

The council is also planning to move adult social services (learning disability and physical and sensory impairment services for adults) into a profit-focused, local authority trading company.

What is happening in Barnet is likely to happen across NHS services – private sector companies fighting to win lucrative, guaranteed contracts to provide public services. These contracts are all funded by the taxpayer.

Up to 70% of Barnet council’s workforce could be transferred to the private sector in little more than 11 months’ time.

For many of Barnet Unison’s members, this will be the fourth day of action in response to the One Barnet Project which seeks to transfer the majority of staff out of the council and develop partnership projects with private companies to deliver services. The total cost of these projects will very likely exceed £2bn, which is why private sector companies are lining up to win contracts with the council.

By agreeing to take action next week, members make an important statement. They want to remain council employees, they want inhouse service bidders to be allowed to compete with private companies, and, most of all, they want to serve the community they are passionate about.

After taking part in the picket line, a group of strikers will help out a local charity. Members want to make it clear that “while they will be withdrawing their labour from the council, they are not withdrawing their commitment to the community they are so proud to serve.”

John Burgess, Barnet Unison branch secretary said

“Doing nothing is not an option for our members. The council is playing high stake risks with our members’, and council taxpayers’, future payments. The council needs to recognise that the One Barnet programme cannot be allowed to continue to expose residents, services and staff to this high risk strategy and expect them to pick up the bill.

Barnet Unison is asking for the One Barnet programme to be put on hold.

*workers in these departments will take action: trading standards & licensing, land charges, planning & development, building control & structures, environmental health, highways strategy, highways network management, highways traffic & development, highways transport & regeneration, strategic planning & regeneration, cemeteries & crematoria, parking services, revenues & benefits, ** housing and social care direct

** Subject to outcome of a strike ballot

Contact: John Burgess, Barnet Unison, on 07738389569 or email: john.burgess@barnetunison.org.uk.

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