Outsourcing Madness Leaves Glasgow UCATT Members In Limbo

UCATT members who were employed by City Building held an angry protest in Glasgow City Centre this lunchtime. The workers remain in limbo as the company who they were due to transfer to on Monday continued to stall on the deal and refused to answer questions about the workers’ future.

Over 235 local government construction workers were due to transfer from City Building (which is council-controlled) to private company Connaught on Monday 30 March. However the transfer did not take place because the company has failed to agree to cover the workers’ pension liabilities.

The workers did not find out that the transfer was not going ahead until they attended a proposed induction organised by Connaught at Hampden Stadium on Monday morning. Only then were they told the induction would not go ahead and the transfer had been delayed.

Harry Frew, Regional Secretary of UCATT Scotland, said: “Hard working local government workers have been treated with absolute contempt. They have been passed from pillar to post and no one will give them a straight answer. Workers are always told that outsourcing is to promote efficiency, this sorry mess proves otherwise.”

The workers do not know who they are currently employed by or if they will be paid. Union officials have been in round the clock meetings in an attempt to resolve the issue. But the talks have become more difficult due to Connaught’s failure to answer basic questions.

Unions have asked:

Who currently employs the workforce?

Who is responsible for pay on and after 30 March 2009?

Where should the workforce report on Tuesday 31 March 2009?

Connaught has refused to answer these questions due to “ongoing discussions”.

Mr Frew, added: “Even when asked the simplest questions Connaught are not giving our members any sensible answers. UCATT members now fear for their future and are worried about their pensions. These issues should have been resolved long before the transfer date. Even if the pension issue is resolved, workers are going to worry about what other problems will surface when the contract actually begins.”

The unions concerned, which includes UNITE and UNISON are now seeking legal advice in an attempt to find out who the workers are employed by.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235