At some point I am going to post – all things being fair – the full force of my thoughts on EDS and their involvement in our Agency.
This centres around the fact that our Management believe they have a partnership with a company that has been involved in many of the high profile Government outsourcing fiascos (Passport Agency computers, CSA computers and JPA*). I believe that all Public Sector work must, sensibly, be done by the Public Sector.
However much they say we are partners, we are not – not really. After all EDS operate solely for a financial profit and not out of a sense of benevolence towards our society and a moral duty to ensure the continuance of a Welfare State – one might wonder what selling services for profit makes the organisation? It is strange that the AFPAA partnership with EDS continues and yet the VA partnership with PCS (an all together benevolent partnership) ended post merger.
For now let me just say that the idea that EDS should have any involvement in the AFCS scheme is abhorrent and the Branch thanks the Group Secretary for his help and diligence in this matter. More news on this as we get it.
We want AFCS to succeed and fully support the idea that staff resources should be sought from within the Civil Service.
*I have been informed, incidentally, that the Partnership with EDS has made JPA the success it is. One questions exactly what the criteria of success is and exactly where certain budgetary concerns developed?
** The Branch is against EDS involvement in the Public Sector generally, but maintains the need for the staff to be supported. In many areas of EDS, PCS are the Union of choice and we offer solidarity to our colleagues in the Commercial Sector. However, the best support we could offer those members is re-nationalisation.
This centres around the fact that our Management believe they have a partnership with a company that has been involved in many of the high profile Government outsourcing fiascos (Passport Agency computers, CSA computers and JPA*). I believe that all Public Sector work must, sensibly, be done by the Public Sector.
However much they say we are partners, we are not – not really. After all EDS operate solely for a financial profit and not out of a sense of benevolence towards our society and a moral duty to ensure the continuance of a Welfare State – one might wonder what selling services for profit makes the organisation? It is strange that the AFPAA partnership with EDS continues and yet the VA partnership with PCS (an all together benevolent partnership) ended post merger.
For now let me just say that the idea that EDS should have any involvement in the AFCS scheme is abhorrent and the Branch thanks the Group Secretary for his help and diligence in this matter. More news on this as we get it.
We want AFCS to succeed and fully support the idea that staff resources should be sought from within the Civil Service.
*I have been informed, incidentally, that the Partnership with EDS has made JPA the success it is. One questions exactly what the criteria of success is and exactly where certain budgetary concerns developed?
** The Branch is against EDS involvement in the Public Sector generally, but maintains the need for the staff to be supported. In many areas of EDS, PCS are the Union of choice and we offer solidarity to our colleagues in the Commercial Sector. However, the best support we could offer those members is re-nationalisation.
