TUC calls for national task force on Carillion

TUC calls for national task force on construction and outsourcing firm, Carillion – government sets one up in response

• Union group calls for risk assessments of other large outsourcing firms
• TUC to convene crunch talks between unions

 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

 

“We urgently need a national task force involving unions to safeguard jobs, services, and pensions.

“Workers can’t be left at the back of the queue. Each and every worker at Carillion needs to know where they stand. They have bills and mortgages to pay, and deserve certainty on their future.

“And we have to ensure that there aren’t more Carillions on the horizon. That means an immediate risk assessment of all large outsourcing firms with government contracts. Public services are already under pressure, and can’t take another hit like this.”

The TUC says the task force should:

• involve unions to give Carillion workers certainty on their jobs, pay and pensions;
• bring Carillion’s public-sector contracts back in-house to ensure consistent delivery;
• support transfer of private sector contracts to alternative providers with jobs, pay and pensions protected;
• fund a training and financial support package for at-risk workers and apprentices; and
• perform a risk assessment on other large outsourcing firms to avoid another crisis.

The TUC points to the example of the MG Rover task force, established by the government and unions in 2005, following the collapse of the car company.

 

Reports at our AGM 18-1-18

UNISON Adrian Turner who is also on West Mids Pension Fund believed shares could be held in Carillion ventures. Carillion involved in several Wolverhampton school PFI projects and workers empployed. Ex & Star had reported that council would pay the afeected workers wages. Their future empolyment and conditions are unknown.

UNITE – Stuart Baker gave report on Carillion which collapsed this week. Appears to be hundreds of divisions and joint ventres of Carillion where Unite has members which are then subcontracted out to other companies and agencies – but Unite office got as many calls from press and MP as members. Cnllr Brackenridge agreed to take up complaint of UNITE with Cnllr Reynolds that unions were being ignored or sidelined – officers using councillors as rubber stamps. Handful of huge companies getting all major government contracts; many were blacklisters and tax avoiders. They have been withholding payments to their subcontractors, Carillion extended payments to 120 days, holdimg smaller companies to ransom. Still getting government contracts after 3 profit warnings – civil servant overlooking Carillion was not replaced last year when left. Interserve also published profit warnings could end up same way. Publically funded schools spending with private companies like G4S, Capita and Carillion.No way to run public services.