A PETITION has been set up challenging Hull City Council's award of a call centre contract to an international firm.
The 300300 customer call centre has been operated by East Yorkshire telecoms giant KC for 14 years.
But the council is now finalising a contract to run it with Serco, even though an audit discovered the communications firm and security group G4S had overcharged authorities up to £50m for electronically tagging offenders.
The petition is being organised by Susan Watson, whose son works in the call centre, and has so far collected 200 signatures.
She said: "We believe local money should be invested in local businesses.
"It's ridiculous, giving local money to an out-of-town multinational company that doesn't actually need it.
"I do believe the council needs to know the depth of feeling in the city about this. I'm doing it for my son to make sure he has a job."
KC is understood to have requested a re-run of the tendering process after raising concerns over the tender evaluation process carried out by the council.
But at a full meeting of the authority, council leader Steve Brady hinted that Serco remained the preferred choice for taking over the service.
He said: "I will not comment on the contracting process at this time because the process is ongoing.
"However, I can say the cabinet has to be very careful when making these kind of decisions. We listened to all the advice that was given to us and we are now in a position where we will see the decision as it stands will be supported by all the evidence."
Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson has also stepped into the row, calling on Councillor Brady to explain the authority's decision.
A council spokesman yesterday said it would be inappropriate to comment.
To find out more about the petition, call Mrs Watson on 07944 634729.
