Interserve contracts must be bought back in-house, says UNISON

Firm’s collapse another example of catastrophic failures of privatisation

Responding to the news that Interserve has failed to persuade shareholders to approve a rescue plan for the company, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “This is yet another example of privatisation failing catastrophically at the expense of public services.

“Thousands of workers including school cleaners, catering staff and people working for probation contracts run by Interserve will be left wondering if they still have a job.

“Public service contracts need to be bought back in-house immediately. The government must give assurances that jobs, pensions and pay are all protected in the event of any collapse.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk