Hauliers urged to work for Whitehall
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Amanda Bradbury • The Government has reassured operators hoping to grab millions of pounds worth of newly offered Civil Service distribution contracts that they should not be put off by the failure of the first deal offered to private hauliers.
Beck & Pollitzer last week agreed to shelve an unsigned £3m contract to run the Branston, Staffs-based Prison Service stores. This follows what is believed to be a Government refusal to compensate the company against the financial implications of recently interpreted employee transfer rules.
Civil service unions say the deal's failure indicates Transfer of Undertakings regulations would particularly hamper future transport contracts being offered to outside firms. They oppose external tendering—so-called market testing.
But the Home Office, which negotiated the prison stores contract on behalf of its staff, says other deals of this type will not fail because they are not affected by the regulations. According to an official source: "The proposals do not necessarily involve employee transfers—that depends on the proposals individual contractors put in." A Home Office trade union source agrees it's too early to pour cold water on market testing. "Outside companies may be prepared to loss lead and take on the full effects of the employment rules."
The transport areas which will be put out to contract are considered by the Government's market testing units. Below are the areas currently being suggested for outside tender. Operators will bid against Government departments.
• Ministry of Defence: freight delivery; motor transport, vehicle maintenance • Home Office: warehousing, distribution and fleet management • Ministry of Agriculture: van services • Department of Employment: central despatch • Department of the Environment workshops and stores • Foreign and Commonwealth Office: messenger services • Customs and Excise: messenger services and storage and distribution of office supplies Contact: Central Efficiency Unit 071-270 3000.