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Industrial action vote over Cardiff ECGD closure

2 February 2006

Ballot papers for industrial action short of a strike went out today to members of PCS working in the Cardiff office of the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) in a dispute over job losses and the transfer of work to London.

The move follows plans by the ECGD that run contrary to government's drive to relocate jobs out of London and the South East, which will lead to the closure of the Lambourne House office in Cardiff on 30 March at a cost of 51 jobs. With the closure of the office imminent a number of issues remain unresolved as management continue to rely heavily on the goodwill of staff.

35 members working in Lambourne House will be balloted with the result expected on or around February 16th.

Commenting Nick Powell PCS Assistant Branch Secretary for the ECGD said: "Staff are increasingly angry that management refuse to budge on key issues, such as payment in lieu of notice, performance bonuses as well as compensation for lost annual leave, despite being asked to train their replacements. Action short of a strike will send a clear message to management that staff are no longer prepared to have their goodwill taken advantage of."

Mark Serwotka PCS general secretary added: "The plans to close the Lambourne House offices are ludicrous and run totally contrary to government policy to move work out of London and the South East. With time running out the ECGD are increasingly taking the goodwill of staff for granted and refusing to address key issues of concern to staff."
 

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