An editorial in the FT reviews the industrial relations scene in Britain and notes that a reduction of 12% in Government departmental budgets by 2015 means that ‘conflict is inevitable’ with public sector trade unions.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/64838478-40d6-11df-94c2-00144feabdc0.html?
The FT goes on to advocate an extension of contracting out as ‘a weapon’ to drive through cuts in pay and workforce numbers and commends Tory privatisation proposals: ‘This is good news. Britain’s public sector is inefficient and needs a dose of market discipline’.
Hence the importance of UNISON and other public service unions stepping up organisation, recruitment and recognition in private sector contractors with initiatives such as the ‘3 Companies’ project.
The private services sector of the UK labour market is effectively de-unionised. Unless we organise to counteract its rapid extension into public services the implications for the future of public service trade unionism are obvious.
