No one should make a profit from providing food to children, says GMB Union 

North Tyneside Council has said it will no longer provide school dinners– instead outsourcing the service to the private sector. 

The local authority will withdraw from school catering from 31 March 2024. 

The move will hit hundreds of already low-paid workers, from cutting their hours, to affecting pay rises and pensions. 

GMB Union will stage a protest outside North Tyneside Council headquarters [1] 15 and 18 January, as the financial scrutiny committee and full council meet. 

Stuart Gilhespy, GMB Organiser, said: 

“GMB members are up in arms - they don’t want to leave council employment. 

“When private companies have taken over public contracts elsewhere in North Tyneside, the first thing they squeeze is workers' pay, terms and conditions. 

“The council is trying to save money by reducing services to some of the most vulnerable people in society. 

“This decision is a disgrace and GMB will fight it all the way. No one should make a profit from providing food to children.” 

ENDS

Media enquiries: GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or at [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

[1] Protest takes place on 15 and 18 January outside North Tynside Council, Quadrant The Silverlink N, North Shields NE27 0BY