Barnet Council: “Outsource, outsource and more outsourcing.”

“A Labour Government would oversee the ‘biggest wave of insourcing for a generation,’ deputy leader Angela Rayner has said” (2022)

Fast forward to 2025 and here in Barnet Council the message is clear outsourcing, outsourcing and more outsourcing.

In the last 12 months our cleaners were told they would not be brought back inhouse our parking workers were told late last year that insourcing was not an option and tomorrow Wednesday 5 February Education workers were told that they would remain outside the Council, denying staff access to a public sector pension scheme.

The trade unions all lobbied the Labour Administration and were sent a very clear message that outsourcing is off the table.


We are in the worst cost of living crisis in 77 years and our lowest paid are living in daily fear as to what bills they can pay.

Our outsourced members are the worst impacted as privatisation brings the following:

Job Insecurity and Reduced Benefits:

Private companies often prioritise profit maximisation, which can lead to job cuts, reduced wages, and fewer benefits for workers.

This can create instability and financial hardship for low-paid workers who rely on the steady employment and benefits that public sector jobs often provide.

Erosion of Worker’s Rights:

Privatisation weakens workers’ ability to collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.

This can lead to a decline in worker’s rights and protections, making low-paid workers more vulnerable to exploitation.

Increased Inequality:

The focus on profit in privatised services can lead to a widening gap between executive pay and the wages of frontline workers.

This exacerbates existing income inequality and can make it even harder for low-paid workers to make ends meet.


We have workers delivering services for Barnet Council with no occupational sick pay, no access to a public sector pension scheme to name a few of the gross inequalities that are rife across the private sector.

UNISON represents outsourced workers in Housing, Social Care, Cleaning, Parking Enforcement, Security, Schools Catering and Education and all are being told there is no room for them in the Barnet Council workforce.

UNISON has a National Policy called Bringing Services Home and Barnet UNISON fully supports this aim and will continue to push for a clear plan and timetable for services to be brought back in-house.

 

End.