THE POLICY of issuing Park and Ride passes giving council staff free travel at taxpayers' expense has been defended by the union Unison.

The public service workers' union responded to the Evening Press's revelation that about 500 members of staff are given free journeys worth £1.30 a day.

The deal could create an annual bill of up to £150,000 - but the council and the union insist in practice it costs around £50,000.

But Dave Bonner, deputy general convenor for Unison in York, said: "We regard the story on the Park and Ride arrangements as a cheap and nasty attack on the conditions of its members at City of York Council.

"The arrangement for free Park and Ride tickets is a hard-won benefit with a number of practical advantages for staff and other people living in or driving into the city. It is not a perk but a valued condition of service."

He said the offer of free passes came with the changeover from York City Council to the unitary City of York Council.

The increase in staff meant a previous offer of free city centre car parking was unsustainable.

"Instead we accepted the offer of free Park and Ride for what is a very small proportion of the 6,500 staff the council employs," he said.

"The policy is working in everyone's benefit, including all those people outside the council who still want to bring their car into the city centre every day and find a car parking space."

The £150,000 bill estimate is based on every pass being used on 47 five-day working weeks.

But Mr Bonner said last year's bill worked out at only £50,000.

And he said it was usual for benefits to be offered by employers.

"Most large employers will provide some kind of benefit to their staff," he said.

"Many of us are City of York Council tax payers too. All of us are income tax payers.

"Wages and conditions of service is something which should be determined between employers and employees, not offered by the media as barter in the annual budget debate."

Updated: 09:03 Thursday, February 21, 2002