City ignores union warnings

CITY chiefs are to press ahead with plans to outsource over a dozen council services – despite the concerns of union leaders.

Councillors have agreed to invite 15 firms to put in formal "bids" for a range of services. The decision came despite warnings against the move by Unison, the biggest union on the council.

In a deputation to councillors, Unison chiefs said that they had "serious concerns" about the process because a number of the firms had been fined by the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) for price-fixing.

Unison regional organiser Peter Hunter said the process has been "shrouded in secrecy" and it would be "inappropriate" to proceed. But the council's solicitor said the OFT's "clear guidance" was it would be unfair to exclude these firms on the basis of the findings.

Deputy council leader Steve Cardownie said: "The SNP has a presumption against privatisation. But we recognise that we have to provide services in the most efficient ways possible. If the workforce show that they can compete with the private sector I would be cock-a-hoop."