(2 September 2013) Citizens of the Belgian town of Sint-Niklaas voted No to the privatisation of their local municipal waste company. Nearly 85 % of voters want that waste collection keeps being done by public employees. Once again when people are asked if their local public services should be done by private companies they say no. The rightwing mayor says the city council will go ahead with outsourcing the waste services nonetheless. The city council claims that this will safe 500.000 Euros a year.
The referendum was forced by the local branches of EPSU affiliated unions CGSP/ACOD and CSC/ACV-Services Publics. The waste workers collected more than 3000 signatures which forced the city council to do the referendum. The unions organized an impressive campaign and convinced almost all citizens that voted. The right wing party NVA of the mayor had campaigned for a yes to the privatisation. In an insidious twist they now claim all those that did not vote endorsed the privatisation. The red/green coalition that together with the NVA makes up the city council argues that nothing will change in the character of the service. Workers will not be dismissed while those that change job will get assistance. It says it will keep an eye on pay and conditions at the private company.
The trade unions reacted disappointed. Democracy is harmed and the unions claim the city council “put up the middle finger” to its citizens. They will consider further actions. EPSU supported the unions and wished them success. Research indicates that outsourcing has negative consequences for workers, quality and the local communities. During public debates the mantra of the city council was that austerity was needed. Other ways and alternatives were not considered.
The threshold for the referendum was 10%. 17.6% of the people entitled to vote participated of which nearly 85% said no to the plans of the city council to outsource the services. The referendum took place on 1st September 2013.
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