Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, has vowed to leave ‘no
stone’ unturned in its defence of members employed by outsourcing
giant Serco, on the Ealing council parking contract, who face
losing their jobs early in the new year.
Just days before Christmas Serco, who took over the contract in
April, has announced that it intends to make eight of the 60
civil enforcement officers redundant in early January.
All 60 workers have been placed at risk. To make the situation
worse Serco has failed to meaningfully consult with Unite and
moved straight to individual consultations, denying the union the
opportunity to properly respond.
As it is an Ealing council contract Unite is seeking an urgent
meeting with the the council and will be asking them to directly
intervene.
If Serco do not withdraw the threat of job losses and begin
meaningful consultations with Unite, the union will move directly
to ballot the workforce for industrial action.
Unite regional officer said: “Serco is behaving like
the worst type of Scrooge employer, by announcing job losses just
before Christmas.
“Our members feel like Christmas is cancelled as their jobs are
hanging by a thread.
“Our members perform a vital role in ensuring transport in Ealing
is kept moving while bringing in vital income for the council,
they deserve to be treated better than this.
“Unite will be seeking an urgent meeting with Ealing council to
ensure they step in and bring Serco to heel.
“Unite will leave no stone unturned in defence of our members and
if the threat of job losses is not immediately removed, it will
begin balloting immediately for industrial action.”
