Unions flex muscles over private sector

A dramatic public clash over Labour's plans is possible

The leader of Britain's biggest union has warned ministers they face a protracted battle if they try to push through public service reforms in the face of staff opposition.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis raised the spectre of a two year conflict over plans to give private firms a greater role in schools and hospitals.

If the government is to achieve its objective, it needs the support and goodwill of our members in order to do that. It is not a threat. It is a fact of life.

Dave Prentis

He was speaking after Wednesday night's "clear the air" summit between the prime minister and union leaders over dinner at Downing Street.

Details of the plans have still to be unveiled but Labour Party chairman Charles Clarke admitted the government does need to win the support of public sector workers.

A tense period is expected as ministers try to stave off the possibility of a public row at Labour's annual conference in the autumn.

Goodwill essential

Mr Prentis told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "I don't believe that this government will want to spend the next two years in conflict with the trade unions about the role of the private company when the clear agenda is that we have got to improve public services.

"My union, Unison, has 1.25 million members providing services to the public.

"If the government is to achieve its objective, it needs the support and goodwill of our members in order to do that.

"It is not a threat. It is a fact of life."

Charles Clarke, who was at Wednesday night's talks, insisted the government's election victory gave it an "absolute mandate" to deliver better public services.

But he agreed with Mr Prentis on the need for staff support.

"You cannot deliver major change in the teeth of opposition," he said.

Mr Clarke said everyone at the meeting had agreed the future of public services must include "investment and reform".

"We want to be prepared to look at all solutions, including private sector involvement, in terms of what works is what matters."

Menu secrecy

In a sign of how sensitive the Downing Street dinner was considered, Number 10 refused to reveal what was on the menu, fearing comparisons to the "beer and sandwiches" negotiations under Harold Wilson in the 1970s.

But despite the secrecy, it later emerged English beef and asparagus had featured on the menu.

Edmonds: Specific assurances needed

Most union leaders struck a conciliatory tone on Thursday morning but kept up the pressure on Mr Blair.

GMB general secretary John Edmonds said the government had not given the specific assurances they needed.

"Some of the worst fears have been allayed but we now need some specific assurances," he told BBC News.

Mr Edmonds said a lot of hard work was needed to avoid a snowstorm of union-sponsored motions on the issue on the floor of the Labour Party conference.

The issue will be raised again next week at the annual conference of the Transport and General Workers (TGWU) union.

Delegates are expected to reassert their strong opposition to the government's plans.

Positive message

But TGWU boss Bill Morris had a positive message about Downing Street meeting.

"We have taken advantage of the opportunity to express to the prime minister our concerns, our members' concerns, and he in turn has indicated to us that the government is about reform in the public sector and public services," he said.

"But there is no wholesale programme for mass privatisation as we've understood it in the historical context."

He continued: "We have major concerns about wholesale privatisation but as a result of these constructive discussions the prime minister made it clear there was no question of this happening."