UNISON members employed at the James Watt College refectory have heard that their jobs are to remain in-house following the success of an in-house bid by a UNISON-led team.

Inverclyde Branch received an award from UNISONScotland part-funding an external consultant to support the construction of an in-house bid after the college announced that they would be market testing their catering.

The team, comprising branch officers, stewards and college staff put together a bid which demonstrated value for money as well as protecting the jobs and conditions of members. The team was supported by Panache Consultancy, a Gloucestershire-based firm with previous experience of delivering successful in-house bids in colleges down south.

After an intense and exhausting 12 months of uncertainty for James Watt College refectory staff, the college Board finally publicised their award of the catering contract at the Finnart Street Campus to the in-house catering team on Friday 2 December 2005.

The Board's decision was informed by reports from the selection panel detailing the commitment and passion shown by the in-house team's documentation and presentation and in the pragmatic business approach they employed.

Jessie Ritchie, refectory manager and member of the in-house team, said of the Board's decision, "We are delighted to receive this vote of confidence from the College Board and look forward to carrying out the improvements to the service for our students and staff."

When the college employed a firm of catering consultants in November 2004 to report on the deficiencies within Finnart Street catering and make recommendations for improvements, UNISON, and its members feared a process had begun which would eventually lead to outsourcing.

Neil Coyle, UNISON steward at James Watt College and chair of the in-house team, commented; "For years Jessie had been battling for improvements in the refectory without success.

"Then suddenly a report is commissioned; the findings of which slated the whole operation, from basic hygiene practices to staff attitudes. It inferred that the only prudent option for the college was to outsource the whole operation.

"Fortunately - if that's the correct word - the college decided to engage in a market-testing exercise which would allow an in-house proposal to be submitted. We were confident that all staff and students would support our bid and that it would hold its own against any private company."

The successful in-house bid bears testament to that belief and to the work and effort which they put in. Robin Taggart, Branch Service Conditions Officer said: "Stewards and staff at the college deserve immense credit for their efforts in making this work, as does UNISON Scotland for providing much needed financial support. This process put jobs, conditions and pensions under serious threat.

"The fact that the in-house team delivered a value for money bid which at the same time protected all of these is evidence that outsourcing is completely unnecessary."

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