Press Release

"Don't privatise transport services" as services are central to quality of care warn unions

29 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 are cost cutting before meeting people's 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.

"Their economic arguments just don't stack up and were poorly put together. Unite has constantly asked for more information from the council but they have 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 privatising 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 their economic efficiency argument out of the water. They have repeatedly failed to consult the staff providing these services. They need to put a stop to these damaging plans."