Controversial plans to transfer more than 100 city council staff to Bristol Waste could be scrapped, it has been revealed. A total of 122 employees working in “facilities management” roles across six departments had been earmarked for a permanent move to the authority-owned company, but City Hall bosses are now giving “serious consideration” to keeping them where they are, a council meeting heard.
Unions and opposition councillors had expressed alarm over the proposals amid concerns that the workers’ rights to sick leave and pensions contributions would be weakened, despite them being transferred via TUPE employment regulations, which protect pay and conditions. But human resources committee members heard on Thursday, September 22, that Bristol Waste had not yet produced a business plan to support the move, which it had been expected to draw up, and the plans are far from a done deal.
The six departments are culture and creative industries, intermediate care, asset strategy, children’s homes, Redfield Lodge care home, as well as early intervention and targeted services. About 200 cleaners and security staff were transferred controversially from the local authority to its waste firm in 2021, but there was no indication that other employees would follow.
