Pay packet outsourcing plan scrapped

FEARS of significant NHS job losses in Oldham have been eased after the scrapping of plans to privatise payroll preparation.

The Pennine Acute Trust was considering giving thr job to to private companies oversees, which could have led to significant job losses in the borough.

NHS staff and union Unison developed alternative plans. Unison North-West regional convenor Angela Rayner said: “It’s a great relief that the Trust has seen sense. Privatisation would have cost jobs but no savings or service improvement.”

The campaign against privatisation has attracted widespread support and a 3,000 name petition, signed by Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher among others.

But Jean O’Donnell, Unison branch secretary, has warned the struggle isn’t yet over: “The Trust hasn’t yet taken a final decision on whether to privatise human resources. We are hopeful the board’s careful deliberations will again lead them to back the in-house bid.”