Southampton City council workers have, in my opinion, fallen into a trap.

Councillor Royston Smith baited the trap very cleverly.

He knew the workers would never stand for a cut in their pensions and, worst of all, a cut in wages.

He also was aware that if the workers stayed out long enough public sympathy would wane.

This, of course, has happened.

The present staff would have to be paid off or made to sign new employment contracts with new working conditions.

One of my concerns is that private companies take over firms not for love, but to make money. As this is true, is this a case of bad or over management within the council?

Once the council gets rid of its services to the private sector there is no going back, as once the infrastructure used to run these services has gone the council is at the mercy of the private sector to what it charges.

A SEMPLE, Southampton.