PFI protocol fails to protect workers being 'sold like slaves'

Bogus self-employed labour is being used by contractors on PFI/PPP projects despite the STUC-Scottish Executive protocol that should avoid a two-tier workforce.

Workers are failing to get basic employment conditions with public money being put into private contractors who are disregarding employee rights.

"Private companies are cutting pay and conditions. The protocol is being ignored", said UNISON's Mick McGahey. The result of the drive for profit meant "cuts in beds and services in the Health Service and Local Government".

And nowhere was that better demonstrated than in Edinburgh's new Royal Infirmary. "The health service in Lothian has to pay £45 million every year to the hospital consortium", Mick explained.

"It doesn't maintain, it employs sub contractors and the hospital is going down the tubes".

"Less beds, higher costs than in the old system and workers transferred from employer to employer like slaves being sold".

"Our members, these workers have a right to dignity".

The motion from UCATT for a campaign to extend employment rights to all workers was amended by UNISON to also urge the STUC to call for a joint in-depth review of the protocol with the Executive.

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