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Union campaign saves Gloucester MoD jobs

13 May 2008

MoD Staff at the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) based at Innsworth, Gloucester, celebrated today following the decision by Derek Twigg MP, the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Veteran's not to approve MoD plans to move SPVA jobs from the Innsworth site in Gloucester to three other locations.

The decision safeguarding 150 jobs was welcomed by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) which represents staff at the site who have fought a long running campaign to keep the jobs in Gloucester.

PCS Branch Secretary for Innsworth, Eric Rothery, said

"Staff here at Innsworth wanted to continue working here, not just for reasons of self interest, but because they genuinely care about the work they do and the support they give to the frontline.

"They could see the risk of moving these functions for very little, if any, actual economic gain. Local management unfortunately did not seem to care about people, be that staff, customers or stakeholders, so we had to take our case to Ministers instead".

Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said:

"PCS members at RAF Innsworth should be extremely proud that their campaigning work has paid off and that the Minister has recognised their expertise and professionalism. His decision is the right decision for defence and is fantastic news for our members whose jobs have been saved."

Throughout the campaign and the consultation process, PCS consistently lobbied Defence Minister Derek Twigg and has campaigned hard to make the case for Innsworth.

The union has organised a petition with signatures and messages of support from all over the country, has worked with local MPs and councils and has held a number of events to demonstrate the strength of feeling amongst staff.

The union was preparing to ballot members for action should MoD have tried to move their jobs to the North West and South of England.
 

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