Public services delivered by democratically elected councils - not private for profit

Sam Macartney

Congress urged local authorities to work with trade unions and communities to ensure open and accountable government and to promote local democracy. It called on Trade Union Councils to build alliances with councillors who oppose the cuts agenda. The STUC will continue to publicise the reasons why banks, big business and the wealthy should bear the cost of the economic crisis, not working people and their communities.

Supporting the motion, Sam Macartney, UNISON called for a lobby of all potential councillors to gain a commitment to oppose the outsourcing of council services. He described the disastrous consequences for staff and services through Glasgow and other councils’ use of Arms Length companies and privatisation.

“It must stop now,” said Sam. “Public services must be for the public and supplied by democratically elected councils – not private for profit!

“Public bodies that seek to reduce costs by outsourcing services will be guilty of financial mismanagement if they fail to consider the full implications and to assess properly what the actual level of real savings might be,” warned Sam. “We would argue that such an assessment would find that many of the so-called savings are down to cutting jobs or terms and conditions.”

He pointed to UNISON Scotland’s Public Works campaign which has highlighted the excellent value for money that great public services deliver.

“That is the Better Way,” said Sam.

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