What happens to existing staff when schools move to PFI school buildings?
For teaching and administration staff no change – they still work for the governors or Local Authority (LA). For facilities management staff (cleaners, site supervisors, mid-day supervisors, catering staff), they are likely to be transferred to become employees of the PFI contractor. ‘Transfer Undertaking Protection of Employment Rights’ (TUPE) (a European law) provides some protection to staff that transfer in relation to maintaining their terms and conditions. In our existing scheme this has presented increased opportunities for staff.
