Failure to consult


Public services union UNISON has won £674,000 compensation for its members from Somerset County Council in settlement of its claim that the council failed to consult over the privatisation of its learning disability services. 


The union brought a case against both the council and Discovery (a subsidiary of the Dimensions UK charitable society and housing association), which took over the service in April 2017. This saw 1,100 employees transferred, and Discovery rolling out a cost-cutting programme leading to significant redundancies.


The council said it believed it had fulfilled its obligations. Nevertheless, it settled the claim to avoid a protracted legal hearing.

https://southwest.unison.org.uk/campaigns/discovery-somerset