Job cuts will be reviewed in court

by Michael Gordon



The General and Municipal Boilermakers Union has been awarded leave for a judicial review over plans to axe 540 ground maintenance jobs with Liverpool City Council.

Approximately 600 workers staged a protest last week following union fears that the Liberal Democrat council leaders have devised an agenda that will see many council services contracted out to private sector companies.

A £700 million backlog of council house repairs forced Liverpool City Council to relinquish ownership of over 40,000 homes in the city (CJ 1 July), and local housing companies have taken over the management of virtually all council owned and rented homes throughout Liverpool.

Michael Titherington, GMB regional industrial officer said: "We were awarded leave to a judicial review by Mr Justice Andrew Collins in the High Court in London last week. We believe that the decision was irrational and unlawful."

The GMB fears that a change of control will threaten the safety and security of its members, despite assurances from Central Government, and the enforcement of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE).

"Although the new bidders for the maintenace contract are claiming TUPE will be applied, they are warning that the skill base will be reduced," said Titherington.