Apex Care workers are among those on the front line of the fightback against the decades-long lie of private-sector "efficiency."

Their union Unison's dogged pursuit of justice provides more evidence, if any were needed, of why the right wing relentlessly tries to shackle the labour movement.

For years the free-market fanatics have peddled the myth that democratic ownership is naturally more "inefficient" than private.

They've done so in an all-too-effective propaganda push designed to mask the real goal.

Behind this smokescreen they wantonly parcel up and hand over parts of the state with the ultimate aim of funnelling taxpayers' cash into the profit-grabbing hands of their friends in the big business classes.

Apex provides an object lesson on what capitalists mean by success.

Managing director Malcolm Patrick has complained that the firm, which carries out much-needed home care visits, finds it difficult to make a profit given the poor funding offered by the cuts-hit council.

Those of a sentimental nature may feel a slight quiver of pity for people's champion Apex, which pledges to "value your rights" and "dignity" if you put yourself under its care.

Dignity: "The state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect," as the dictionary puts it.

They're so benevolent at Apex that, Mr Patrick told the Southern Daily Echo last December, once they've paid for staff training, managers, payroll and holidays "there is not a lot left."

But wipe away those tears.

In fact Apex skims off 6 per cent profit - every penny of it made by squeezing its zero-hours workforce and pocketing the difference out of taxpayer funds.

Despite Apex's good record of care, Hampshire County Council suspended its contract last year over claims it paid its staff below minimum wage.

Unison forced some concessions from the firm.

However reports that it has since slapped a draconian "gagging order" on staff suggest that anti-worker shenanigans continue at the firm.

As Unison's Heather Wakefield asks: "If Apex has nothing to hide, why has it imposed a gagging order on staff?"

She depicts a punishment regime being meted out on a casualised workforce kept in constant fear of losing their jobs.

It conjures up images from Charles Dickens. And for good reason.

Those pushing the public-sector privatisation agenda under the guise of "efficiency" are direct descendants of the grotesques lined up in his novels.

Understandably Unison is treading a tightrope - opposing abuses at Apex while trying to defend jobs by urging Hampshire council to maintain its contract with the firm.

But the broader roots of this story couldn't be clearer.

"Efficiency" only works one way under the outsourcing model, easing the skimming of public-sector cash out of the system.

The price is paid in fewer staff, worse terms and, all too often, rock-bottom services.

For too long this efficiency myth has been allowed to go unanswered.

Cases like Apex should light the red touch-paper for a rigorous bout of myth-busting - and the return of democratic public services.