JHL (25.08.2015 - Heikki Jokinen) The City of Espoo decided in August to corporatize their municipal enterprise Espoo Catering. The employees are deeply disappointed and wore black ribbons on their arms for two days while working.
”We want to guarantee the food service of school pupils, day care centres and the elderly, but the black ribbon demonstrates our feelings following the decision”, says JHL shop steward Kristiina Salo for the Motiivi magazine of JHL.
There has been lengthy debate in the City of Espoo on whether to outsource or corporatize the city services. In May the City Council voted not to outsource technical and maintenance services.
JHL has strongly opposed the planned outsourcings and corporatizations. This is in line with the wishes of Espoo residents.
The Union commissioned a survey in April asking whether Espoo residents would like to keep major services municipal or outsource these. Only 20 per cent were in favour of outsourcing, 55 per cent were against it.
The voting to corporatize Espoo Catering was rather close, 41 to 34. It has 500 employees, half of them JHL members. Catering services have now been handed over to a separate independent company, owned by the City.
Shop steward Kristiina Salo says that employees will soon be affected by the decision. From the beginning of 2016 they lose their travel card for local transport and pass for the City culture and sport events.
”What will happen to those who live in municipal housing”, Salo asks. ”They may lose their home, or at least face higher rents.”
JHL stresses that the productivity of Espoo Catering has been improving 24 per cent since 2009. In spite of that there is now a danger of cuts in salaries if the new company changes over from the municipal collective agreement to the restaurant sector agreement.
JHL local branch demonstration against outsourcing of City services in Espoo in April 2015.