Swansea workers fight privatisation

Staff from Swansea council marched through the city centre last week to protest against plans to further privatise services. The privatisation of the council's IT system led to an eight-week strike a few years ago and its eventual introduction has been a disaster and an example of what any future privatisation would mean for staff and the general public.

At the city centre rally Jeff Baker, the regional organiser for UNISON told protesters: "The council can deliver the services with the public's interests at heart but private companies put profits before service every time".

The council is eyeing up refuse collection, security and cleaning jobs for possible privatisation.

Mark Evans, assistant branch secretary for UNISON in neighbouring Carmarthenshire council welcomed the demonstration but stressed that council workers across Wales need to unite to fight the numerous threats of privatisation.

"This issue of creeping privatisation of services is not going to go away and UNISON members need to be informed of the different local struggles so that we can give solidarity and where possible, co-ordinate our action".