Total Uniformity

MEN in grey suits could be coming to Oldham Council . . . and women too.

This is the new corporate workwear being proposed for frontline staff.

The suits, ties and blouses are part of a range of uniforms for support workers, security, catering, sports, cleaning, highways and parks staff.

Colours vary from department to department, and include polo shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces, waterproofs, aprons, boiler suits, saris and stab vests.

The draft proposals are being circulated among senior managers and bosses are asking for opinions on the scheme.

But unions say it is not the time to be considering spending money on expensive uniforms. The council has a £17 million budget deficit and is considering up to 850 redundancies.

The corporate workwear suggestions follow Oldham’s rebranding exercise. The outfits are in colours approved in the rebranding palette, and all carry the slogan “many players, one team”.

Paul Dale, TGWU convenor for workers in the waste, Street Scene and highways departments, said: “The timing is abysmal. No one is running it by us and it should not be a done deal.

“We already have corporate workwear in dark green and purple, which hides dirt and grime.”

Jim McDermott of the GMB added: “This is the wrong time.

“I understand the reasoning behind it, and the way we dress at the moment just reflects our silo working mentality. But what about the spending freeze? How can we find this money?”

Councillor Jim McMahon, leader of the council’s Labour group, said: “We are still in a situation where the council is spending money printing the old logo when it would cost no more to use the new one.

“Then there is the separate issue of money being wasted on things which are not essential at a time of huge redundancies and youth centre closures.

“The council needs to get its house in order. At this time it would appear the most fitting message is “one council, many problems.”

Executive director for strategy and resources, Liz Terry, said it was inaccurate to suggest the council is considering the immediate purchase of new uniforms. This would have to be agreed by councillors.

She added: “A first step is to consider some designs that we might want to adopt and then to consult with relevant staff, members, and union representatives about their suitability.

“When the time comes to order new uniforms, in the normal replacement cycle, they will carry the new brand rather than the old.”