25 March 2010
Threatened Staff Win UK Award
If It Ain’t Broke – Don’t Fix It
Staff at the City of Edinburgh Council, who face
wholesale privatisation, have just received a UK
award for delivering efficiencies that are unrivalled
across the UK. The Government Business Awards cover
a variety of categories and Edinburgh is the outright
winner of the Financial Performance Award.
The City Council recently announced the intention
to bring the private sector in to run a whole range
of council services in the hope of delivering efficiencies
and savings.
Reports to council expressed concern at the ability
of existing managers to deliver budget savings and
highlighted English examples of privatisation as
an alternative way forward for Edinburgh. However,
the Government Business Award for Financial Performance
places a serious massive question mark against the
benefit to be gained from breaking up a winning
team.
Commenting on the award Kevin Duguid said: “We
share the council’s aspiration to be the best and
to provide efficient services to the tax payers
of Edinburgh. What this award shows is that the
grass isn’t always greener on the other side of
the fence. UNISON has always had faith in the work
of our members and we’re delighted that this dedication
and efficiency has been recognised and rewarded
at the highest level. And the people of Edinburgh
share this view – 89% voted against privatisation
in a recent poll. Its just a pity that the council
sits alone in failing to see that when it comes
to council services in Edinburgh – “Public Works”.
Our message to the leader of the administration
is simple “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
ENDS
Note for editors: More details and 10 points
from UNISON's damning analysis of the council plans
is at http://www.unison-edinburgh.org.uk/citynotforsale