Claims in a trade union leaflet that there are plans to ‘privatise’ or ‘sell off’ the 999 service have been described as ‘a blatant attempt to mislead the public—and a cynical disservice to the staff whose interests we are seeking to protect.’
The charge came from the Chair of Cleveland Police Authority Councillor Dave McLuckie following the latest effort by Unison to suggest that delivery of the 999 service ‘will be put at risk because of the sell-off.’
Councillor McLuckie says he is especially angry at the suggestion in the leaflet being distributed by Unison that the Authority would put at risk the safety of the public and accused the union of being prepared to use ‘distortion and misrepresentation—and the pretence that it is concerned for the public when in reality it is seeking to put its own aims above the needs of local people.’
Said the Police Authority Chair “It is clear from the amount of time and money Unison is investing in its campaign that this is nothing do with the quality of service to the people served by Cleveland police—and everything to do with its blinkered opposition to any form of working with private sector partners.
“Every claim in the leaflet it is currently circulating is wrong. There is no question of ‘privatising’ or ‘selling off’ the 999 service—it is really insulting their intelligence of the public to pretend that any force, any authority—or any government—would ever allow that happen.
“What we are doing is looking into the potential for working with a private sector partner to deliver a range of support services—including some elements of call handling. We believe such a move could have the potential for improving the service at the same time as delivering significant savings—vital at a time when we are about to face major financial challenges—and providing long-term employment security for staff, something I would have thought Unison might welcome.
“If—and I stress if—we do go ahead with the proposal the same staff handling 999 calls at present will remain in the same Control Room at our headquarters in Ladgate Lane, police officers will continue to be involved and command of responding to calls will remain with the Force.
“I simply do not understand why Unison continues to misrepresent what we are seeking to achieve when, whilst elsewhere in the country police authorities are planning major cuts in jobs, we are seeking a solution which will protect both the interests of the public and staff.
Are they really saying that they would prefer to see jobs lost and the service reduced in pursuit of their dogmatic objections to working with private sector partners?”