New deal maintains outsourcing protections
by Bernard Harbor
 
Peter Nolan said the safeguards were substantial as ditching the labour cost provision would effectively mean most business cases would support outsourcing on the basis of minimum wage and rock-bottom workers’ rights.
Peter Nolan said the safeguards were substantial as ditching the labour cost provision would effectively mean most business cases would support outsourcing on the basis of minimum wage and rock-bottom workers’ rights.

Union-negotiated protections against the outsourcing of local authority services will remain in place if the proposed new public service agreement is accepted in ballots of union members.

 

In the talks that led to the proposed deal late last week, the management side sought to do away with the protections. But Fórsa and Siptu said they would not agree proposals unless they remained in place, and the final text retains existing safeguards..

 

The protections include requirements on employers to present a ‘business case’ if they want to outsource a service or part of a service, and to consult with staff representatives.

 

Crucially, employers are forbidden to include labour costs in any business case, which means they can’t embark on a ‘race to the bottom’ of pay and working conditions.

 

Peter Nolan, who heads Fórsa’s Municipal Employees Division and Local Government Division, said the safeguards were substantial as ditching the labour cost provision would effectively mean most business cases would support outsourcing on the basis of minimum wage and rock-bottom workers’ rights.

 

“Fórsa and other unions have repeatedly used the safeguards to oppose the privatisation of council services,” he said.

 

It’s never been more important – or more easy – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE

LikeLike (0) | Facebook Twitter