Breaking News: Swansea IT staff to go on strike

Swansea council IT staff are to go on indefinite strike from 16 August after voting in favour of industrial action over a controversial 10-year outsourcing deal.

Trade union Unison has accused the council of repeatedly failing to consult on the plans to transfer work to the private sector – a claim which the council denies.

Swansea council is currently evaluating bids from ITNet and Capgemini for the 'Service@Swansea' project for desktop, infrastructure and application support; the integration of systems including CRM into its legacy systems; and a 'one-stop shop' website and contact centre for citizens using council services.

IT staff at the council voted 97.3 per cent in favour of continuous strike action from Monday 16 August. Jeff Baker, regional officer for Unison, said IT support for all systems will be withdrawn, except for critical ones such as the Child Protection Register.

"Over a prolonged period it's likely to severely disrupt internal communications and the processing of incoming and outgoing bills and invoices. It will also have an effect on finance and payroll depending how long it goes on for, and possibly housing benefit," he said.

Baker said the only thing that will bring Unison and its members back to the table is a formal indication that the council will offer IT staff the option of secondment or staying in-house.

He also hit back at Swansea's claims that the council had consulted with IT staff throughout the process. "They sat down and told us what they're doing but consultation is only meaningful if they take on board what we've said. We're a recognised trade union for consultation and negotiation and Swansea council has effectively refused to do either."

But Swansea council claims the project will improve customer access and service delivery and result in £3.5m in annualised savings that can be put back into front-line services.

Swansea councillor Mary Jones, cabinet member for top.performance and Service@Swansea, said: "It is regrettable that ICT staff have decided to take strike action. We are seeking urgent clarification that their action will not affect vital services. The Council has not taken any decision over whether IT staff would transfer to our chosen partner or remain in-house. If they did transfer, the Council would ensure that staff had enhanced protection for their terms and conditions and nobody will lose their jobs."