'Outsourcing is an iron cage'

Unite delegate and executive council (EC) member Suzanne Abachor spoke passionately in support of a composite calling for insourcing of the public sector.

Suzanne, who herself is an outsourced worker, made her powerful intervention on the third day of TUC Congress on Tuesday (September 15).

Suzanne spoke of her experience as an outsourced worker, who work the same jobs as NHS workers but without the benefits they receive such as a good pension.

“Every day, I push and pull heavy beds with patients, move equipment and help keep patients safe,” she said. “Sometimes we work for hours without stopping, especially when we are short-staffed.”

Despite all their hard work, she asked, “Why are we outsourced?”

“Is it simply to pay us less and worsen our conditions?” Suzanne continued. “No — there is a deeper reason: outsourcing divides workers and weakens trade unions.

“Outsourcing is an iron cage, separating worker from worker,” she said.

Although Suzanne acknowledged that insourcing millions of public sector workers will not be easy, she noted, “Difficulty must never become an excuse for injustice.”

“The Government cannot promise insourcing on a grand scale while only making small changes at the margin,” Suzanne argued. “We must keep up the pressure, not only for better pay, pensions and sick pay, but to shift power back towards workers’ rights.”

Concluding to loud applause in the hall, Suzanne said, “If our hands are good enough to care for NHS patients, why are they not good enough for NHS fairness?”

The composite was carried.

By Hajera Blagg

Photo by Mark Thomas