Public and Commercial Services Union

The department have issued our union with a consultation document (CD) regarding the restructuring the Territorial Army (TA) Royal Signals. A copy of this CD is below. The annexes attached to this CD have been sent to all branch secretaries. Please contact him/her to view the full document and annexes.

Any comments on this consultation document should be given to your branch secretary and he will then forward them to the group secretary Paul Barnsley at paulba@pcs.org.uk. Please ensure any comments are submitted by 8 July 2009.

PCS will be making clear in our response that management need to understand that we have fundamental concerns with their proposals that need to be addressed. Our concerns are specifically relate to the handling of this proposal and also the impact on our members.

PCS will be meeting defence ministers shortly to discuss how this process has been handled by MoD - which from the minister downwards has been a disgrace. The closures and job cuts were announced by MoD without any consultation and discussion with PCS. Our members and our union learnt about these proposals from the media.

In our engagement with management to date we have made it clear that:
 

1. We not accept the statement that our members will "not necessarily" be made compulsory redundant. This is contrary to the agreement that our union has with the Cabinet Office and MoD which clearly sets out the redundancy avoidance measures (including the guaranteed offer of a post). PCS will not accept any redundancies amongst our membership and we will insist that management need to fully apply the Cabinet Office protocols and also all relevant MoD policy rules and guidance.
2. That management need to offer a wide range of redundancy avoidance measures to PCS measures over and above what is proposed at present. This should include a targeted early release scheme with the most generous terms offered.
3. Some of the casual staff may now have employment rights where they have more than 12 months continuous service. Those of who are PCS members will be protected by our agreement.
4. That further negotiations are imperative in advance of a final decisions.
5. PCS will be insisting that in addition to local consultation at divisional and brigade level that there is national oversight and agreement of all proposals involving our union.
6. That PCS will have further comments once we have received feedback from our branches on the demands and wishes of members impacted.

PCS will issue a further update in the near future.

 

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Restructuring the Territorial Army (TA) Royal Signals: trades union (tu) consultation

Introduction

On 28 Apr 09 a Ministerial announcement in the House of Commons was made concerning the Defence Review of Reserves which makes recommendations to provide a more operationally effective Reserves structure that is both better manned and better integrated with Regular elements. As part of this announcement two Planning Round 2009 (PR09) savings measures were confirmed against the R SIGNALS Territorial Army (TA) which removed elements of 2 (National Communications) Signal Brigade (2 (NC) Sig Bde) and 12 Signal Group (12 Sig Gp) from the TA orbat.

The aim of this document is to:

Explain the background behind the PR09 savings measures concerning the R SIGNALS TA.

Provide detail of HQ LF’s plan to restructure the R SIGNALS TA and highlight the potential impact on all elements of the workforce.

Provide the basis for the HQ LF’s formal consultation period with TU at TLB level.

Background – Pr09 measures held against The TA R Signals

As part of PR 09, the Defence Board approved two measures that affect the R SIGNALS TA. A key driver in taking these decisions was that they are consistent with the findings of the Reserves Review. The measures result in the reduction in TA, regular, civilian, NRPS and MGS liability from across 12 Sig Gp and part of the TA component of 2 (NC) Sig Bde.

The drawdown of 12 Sig Gp recognises the obsolescence of the Ptarmigan system operated by three R SIGNALS TA regiments. The Ptarmigan capability is being replaced in regular Signal Regiments by the more capable FALCON system. The improved capability of the FALCON system has replaced the requirement for R SIGNAL TA regiments to support the ARRC.

Similarly the work of 2 (NC) Sig Bde was subject to review following the issue of Standing Joint Commander’s C4 Directive in July 2008. The review identified surplus capacity not required for the Bde to deliver ICS for Defence assets employed on UK operations and its other key Defence outputs.

Having taken these measures, the proposal for the resulting R SIGNALS TA structure has been constructed as a result of the rationalisation of both 12 Sig Gp and 2 (NC) Sig Bde. The proposed structure ensures that it best supports current operations, the regular elements of the R SIGNALS and the Corps’ geographical footprint.

In total, the measures removed the liability for 2174 TAP, 105 UKTAP, 45 MGS, 81 NRPS and 112 Civilian posts. Whilst not part of the Defence Review of the Reserves, this reduction in liability is coherent with the wider conclusions of the Review of Reserves.

Civilian re-structuring plan

The re-structuring plan has been devised from utilising personnel and TA Centres from across 12 Sig Gp and 2 (NC) Sig Bde assets. The resultant structure will be grouped under 2 (NC) Sig Bde as detailed below:

32 Sig Regt (UK Ops)

RHQ & Sp Sqn Glasgow
1 x ICS Sqn Clonaver Park/Limavady
1 x ICS Sqn East Kilbride/Edinburgh
1 x ICS Sqn Darlington/Hartlepool
1 x ICS Sqn Huyton/Rusholme

37 Sig Regt (UK Ops)

RHQ & Sp Sqn Redditch
1 x ICS Sqn Cardiff/Stratford-upon-Avon
1 x ICS Sqn Sparkbrook/ Coventry
1 x ICS Sqn Colchester/ Cambridge

38 Sig Regt (Strategic Comms)

RHQ & Sp Sqn Sheffield
1 x LFFB & Radio Sqn Dundee/Aberdeen
1 x Radio Sqn Sheffield/Nottingham/Leeds
1 x Radio Sqn Bletchley/Rugby/Banbury
1 x LWD & Radio Sqn Couldson/Kingston

39 Sig Regt (UK Ops)

RHQ & Sp Sqn Bristol
1 x ICS Sqn Bristol/Gloucester
1 x ICS Sqn Windsor/Aylesbury
1 x ICS Sqn Eastbourne/Brighton

71(Y) Sig Regt (UK Ops)

RHQ & Sp Sqn Bexleyheath
1 x ICS Sqn Uxbridge/Southfields
1 x ICS Sqn Lincoln’s Inn/Whipps Cross/Chelmsford

The plan has been approved by SOinC(A) and agreed in principle by D Plans, HQ LF as a basis for TU consultation. Those units/sub units proposed to disband are detailed at Annex A. The detail of how this plan affects the civilians within the R SIGNALS TA orbat is at Annex B. UKTAP, TAP, NRPS and MGS liability reductions are at Annexes C, D, E and F respectively. The resultant orbat for the five R SIGNALS TA regiments is shown in detail by sub unit at Annex G.

Implementation of the Plan. It is proposed that the plan is implemented in four phases:

Phase 1 – R SIGNALS Re-Roling. Those units/sub units nominated under the plan to re-role into the new structure are to become OPCOM 2 (NC) sig Bde and begin re-role trg. Not before 01 Aug 09.

Phase 2 – Wider TA Re-Structuring. Units nominated for disbandment under the plan will be included within wider Review of Reserves work in order that their geographical footprint, recruiting and retention levels, and other Cross Defence Lines of Development (XDLoD) issues can be considered within the totality of the TA. This could involve R SIGNALS units identified for disbandment being re-roled to other A&SDs obviating the need for disbandment. Work to be complete by 30 Sep 09.

Phase 3 - Unit Closure. Units are to draw down from 30 Sep 09 and to close 31 Mar 10.

Phase 4 – 251 Sig Sqn manpower Dispersal. Regular manpower from within 251 Sig Sqn will be dispersed across the resultant 2 (NC) Sig Bde structure in order to meet the Standing Joint Commander’s required communications response times. This phase of the plan will be subject of further staff work during phases 1 to 3, to refine the detail of 251 Sig Sqn dispersal. Dispersal is not to begin before 01 Apr 10.

The full details of the transition plan are currently being developed by SOinC(A) in close cooperation with HQ LF, Th Tps and the regional chain of command. This will be issued before 01 Aug 09. It will include detailed timelines as to the changes to extant command relationships together with direction as to future trg activities.

Detailed Timings. Detailed timings are as follows:
Date Activity

1 June 09             Draft Plan issued for TLB TU Consultation
12 July 09             TLB TU consultation complete
01 August 09        Plan for re-structuring and disbandments issued
                            Implementation Order issued
01 September 09   Local TU Consultation complete as appropriate
30 September 09   Staff notification of unit closure
31 March 10           Unit closures

Flexibility. The plan in its current form provides a baseline document that accepts the requirement to change over time. The plan provides the CofC with an end state but does not constrain the realisation of other solutions ahead of the directed timeframe.

Future Management of the Plan. The plan will be implemented by the CofC (supported by the local HR Business Partners) and managed by HQ LF. Changes to the plan will be processed through Brigade, Divisional and HQ LF Establishment Committees as part of standard operating procedures.

Interaction with Other Change Programmes. The plan will be cross-referenced with other change programmes involving civilian staff, particularly the Defence Review of Reserves.

Implications for employees

Civilians. 112 civilian posts have been identified as being surplus to the requirements of the new structure. It is recognised that the nature of this restructuring proposal may require the application of post mapping principles. Where this is appropriate, the principles applied in Project HYPERION will be used by local Commanders and the recommendations consulted locally. All staff whose posts are surplus as a result of these measures will be placed in the MOD Redeployment Pool, six months prior to the disestablishment of their posts. Every effort will be made to find them alternative employment within MOD or Other Government Departments, but the possibility of redundancy cannot be ruled out. Any staff made redundant would be compensated under the terms of the appropriate MOD regulations. In addition, the MOD Outplacement Scheme would be available to those made redundant to identify new opportunities.

NRPS. Every effort will be made to find alternative employment for NRPS staff made surplus by this plan. This may include transfer to vacancies in other units or sub-units. NRPS personnel will become potential redundees unless they are selected for another appointment

TAP. TAP from a unit / sub-unit that are not to be absorbed into the new orbat are to be regarded as surplus to establishment and are to be subject to the following provisos:

TA volunteers will not be surplus to the overall TA manning liability and every effort will be made to find alternative employment and arrange for voluntary transfers.

Where candidates for transfer exceed demand, open competition will be conducted by a Review Board with some limited opportunities for overbearing.

Candidates who are not selected for transfer or for whom there is no suitable alternative employment, are to be offered the opportunity to transfer to the ‘Un-posted List’.

UKTAP. Regular Army personnel will be re-deployed in accordance with APC Glasgow Assignment Orders.

MGS. Under the current plan there is still a requirement to provide MGS to guard Ptarmigan sites until their classified assets are back loaded. Once completed these personnel are to be removed from the orbat unless other classified assets remain. MGS are to review the requirement for these establishments.

TU consultation procedures

In addition to this TLB level consultation document, local TU consultation will be conducted by the Divisional and Bde CofC – this will be an iterative process. TUs will be invited to consult at this level through the local Whitley structure at the appropriate time within the R SIGNALS disbandment timelines. All relevant information, including any amended versions of Annexes A and B will be made available at the local level.

Final decisions on how to deliver the required civilian employee support to the PR 09 measures held against the TA R SIGNALS, will be taken before a proper period of consultation is completed. In line with current best practice, HQ LF would welcome views and comments on the proposals within this period of consultation. If it would help, my team would be pleased to arrange further informal discussions, if required.

Comments from TU Representatives should be channelled through the NITU Sec and ITU Secs as appropriate. I would be grateful for a response, copied to Maj Frank Whiting (SO2 Org(B)), by no later than 12 July 2009.

Conclusion

This is a draft plan intended to inform the chain of command and the TUs at this stage. This will enable consultation and refinement of the plan leading to a publication date of the confirmed plan on 1 Aug 09.