MORE than 200 Glasgow city council workers took part in strike action on Thursday over plans to privatise all local government IT.

ICT staff set up pickets at their offices in Alexandra Parade and High Street three weeks after Glasgow city council’s decision-making executive committee voted nine to seven in favour of privatising the service.

Workers later demonstrated at the front of the city chambers with a lunchtime lobby of Glasgow city councillors.

Changes will mean everything from IT in schools to social work departments will be run by an outside company, most likely to be Canadian-based CGI, which currently runs Edinburgh and Borders Council IT.

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Tony Santilli, UNISON Convenor, said: “We believe that the financial figures contained in the plans are completely flawed. Privatisation is not the way forward for this, or indeed any council service.

“The purpose of the strike action is to resist the current proposals and thus protect the current jobs, terms and conditions, pensions and employment status of all UNISON members.

“The nature and frequency of further strike action will be decided in consultation with members and stewards.”

SNP and Green councillors have called in the decision to outsource the work, stating that the process has been rushed and the plans are unconvincing.

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A council spokesman said: “Our plans for the development of IT services aim to deliver the best for the citizens of Glasgow – to break down the city’s digital divide, raise attainment in our schools by giving students the best learning tools, and promote new skills and new jobs.

“Staff have been given written guarantees that their jobs, terms and conditions, and pensions will be protected should the council decide to award a contract to CGI.

“The Unison leaders’ proposals for IT services are likely to cost hundreds of jobs, in contrast to what they claim.”