Lord Hanningfield should consult with staff not dictate to them

The Essex County Labour Group have reacted with dismay to Lord Hanningfield’s latest attempt at bullying and browbeating of Council staff.  Lord Hanningfield has issued an open letter to staff via their Union representatives accusing them of scaremongering, inaccurate statements and causing anxiety to the public.  In response to this letter Councillor Paul Kirkman, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Group, has written an open letter to Lord Hanningfield.

Cllr Kirkman said: 

“It is quite a cheek for Lord Hanningfield to now browbeat Unison and members of staff in such a fashion.  Essex Tories are planning to privatise County Council services and have been working on the project since last summer - in effect, over nine months.  Lord Hanningfield did not make his plans public; did not consult Members of the Council; nor indeed the staff who work for the Council.  His privatisation project only became public knowledge in November when the Council sort tender bids from a private provider to run some or all of the Council’s public services.  Lord Hanningfield holds the staff of this Council in contempt and is now bullying them to accept his distorted version of events.  Our loyal staff, who are quite legitimately concerned about their futures, deserve better treatment.  It is not good enough and he should withdraw his plans for this unnecessary privatisation immediately.”

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