Protest over outsourcing in Ards and North Down

Workers, unions and members of the public staged a mass protest in opposition to outsourcing of leisure services at Ards & North Down District Council 

Dozens joined the demonstration at Bangor Castle over the decision of Ards & North Down District Council to hand over leisure services to the private management company Serco.  

GMB, Nipsa and Unite unions have warned a similar scheme in Belfast City Council where leisure services have been outsourced has led to a huge hike to user charges and attacks on workers’ rights.  

Ards and North Down: Union warns against outsourcing leisure services https://t.co/isrJrBcBQf

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 25, 2023

Alan Perry, GMB Senior Organiser, said: 

"There's a lot of anger, there's a lot of anxiety, there's a lot of uncertainty around what may happen, and our members are clearly asking for a definite position from the council as soon as possible. 

"We believe leisure services should be kept in-house.”

“We are totally opposed to any outsourcing. 

"We believe council employees are the best placed to run their facilities, and we would not entertain outsourcing of any kind. "