Swansea staff fight outsourcing

OVER 100 Swansea Council ICT (computer) staff have started indefinite
strike action in order to prevent the council outsourcing their jobs to a
private company. This is a threat to their terms, conditions and pensions.

Alec Thraves spoke to Senior Support Officer and UNISON Rep, Martin
Ennis outside County Hall as they lobbied other members of staff.

"The mood of our members is very determined and that was reflected in
the 97% vote for strike action. The council want us to work for one of
two private companies that are bidding for the tender. One of those
companies, ITNet, is even providing the council with scab staff to help
them try and break the strike!

"Over the past 12 months the council has denied us the opportunity to
even discuss an in-house (secondment) option. The outsourcing of ICT
would not just mean a threat to our jobs and conditions but will also
mean the council tax payer footing a bill of £ millions to pay for the
profits of privatisation.

"Since the threat of privatisation has been hanging over our heads,
UNISON membership in our section has grown from below 50% to almost 99%.
That support for the union is now being reflected on our lobby lines
where our members are confident of preventing the outsourcing of our
jobs."