Trade unions are set to hold "one of the largest ever" protests in Wandsworth over the council's decision to hand over home care to private companies.

Officials at Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Union Council (BWTUC) are calling on all unionists to join the lobby on December 12 - the day the final decision on home care will be made by the council.

Staff are currently being balloted for industrial action and BWTUC officials say they are confident a strike with emergency cover will go ahead the same day.

Wandsworth's in-house home help team, Wandsworth Home Care Services (WHCS), was awarded a new five-year contract this summer.

The row centres on the council's decision to give most of the extra work outside the contract to a few private companies. WHCS staff fear they will get less and less work as clients move on or die.

Union officials claim the council risks losing thousands of votes in next year's borough elections if they push ahead with the plans.

But Wandsworth stresses both the in-house team and external providers will provide an equally high level of service.

Social Services cabinet member Councillor Jan Leigh said: "Last year an independent survey highlighted an 86 per cent satisfaction rate and the department has also been praised by the NHS for avoiding bed-blocking.

"We expect that level of service to continue in the future."

November 30, 2001 11:30