The Beginning of Newham’s Winter of Discontent.

It seems that ICT staff in Newham are currently taking part in a strike ballot. This is caused by “the council’s plan to outsource the service”, as quoted on UKAuthority website.

The issue of outsourcing is one close to the current mayor’s heart. Indeed, a pledge to oppose outsourcing/privatisation was key to her campaign to get selected. 

The print is quite small, but Fiaz’s pledges included, “I will end all further privatisation and outsourcing…on day one”.

If the unions are correct in their concerns, this does rather suggest that Fiaz will do one thing when campaigning and the opposite when in office.

The article quotes Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. “That a Labour council should seek to privatise council workers beggars’ belief. Outsourcing programmes follow the same pattern time and time again – broken promises of cost savings while services deteriorate, and staff pay and conditions are subject to endless cuts.

“While most councils have begun to see sense, Newham has decided to embark on this catastrophic plan. Our members will fight tooth and nail to oppose such madness and have the full backing of their union in this dispute.”

Newham have denied that they are seeking to outsource the ICT work. Apparently, they are exploring a “hybrid model”.  Quite what that means in practice is unclear.

The strike ballot closes on October 29th.