Strike over plan for private parks (From Your Local Guardian)

Strike over plan for private parks

12:29pm Monday 5th February 2001

• Print
• Email
• Share

STRIKE action could go ahead over controversial council proposals to allow private companies to run four of Bromleys largest parks.

Members of the mobile parks patrol, who manage Bromleys parks, have reacted bitterly to what they see as privatisation of the service by bringing in full time park keepers from the private sector.

The strike will go ahead on February 21 if Unison members vote for industrial action as expected.

Unison branch secretary Glenn Kelly said: I am absolutely certain the new proposal will lead to poorer quality of work and low wages.

This is nothing more than privatisation and theyre doing it to save money.

However, council joint leader, Chris Maines was defiant about the proposals.

He said: Our biggest parks will get a full time park keeper which will free up more time for the parks patrol.

It will provide the public with an identifiable person who is there all of the time and will drive up standards.

He added: A strike would be irresponsible in a public service, because local residents and the workforce will suffer.

The parks affected are Kelsey Park, Croydon Road Recreation Ground, Priory gardens, and Church House gardens/Queens Gardens, Bromley.

• Print
• Email
• Share