European public service unions, representing over 40 million people, have today pledged to back Unison's campaign on the role of the private sector in delivering public services.

Unison says that public sector employees are being pushed into the arms of private companies as part of the government's modernisation plans.

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "Unison wants to stop companies making massive profits by cutting pay, pensions, and conditions of its members with a social clause requiring private companies to honour collective agreements.

"What we need is consistency - its no good talking about protecting workers in the UK and then blocking progress in Europe. It flies in the face of Tony Blair's stated commitment that privatisation would not take place on the back of workers.

"Last month British members of the European parliament voted for the clause which was carried by the European parliament. It will now go to the council of ministers where we could end up with the incredible position of a British Labour government vetoing them."