As we build towards the industrial action on 8 and 9 March, it has been reported that the defence select committee have major questions over a £21 billion funding gap in our department stating responses from the department have been, “at best confused and unhelpful, at worst deliberately obstructive".In recent months in the Ministry of Defence, we have seen:
· PR10 options being drafted that plan to cut thousands of jobs
· The Grimstone review looking for a minimum of £180 million of savings through cutting yet more civil service posts
· Announcements made to the media to close MoD sites before staff have been informed, far less consulted
· All mainstream political parties promising pay freezes or pay curbs (as MP's vote themselves a £1,000 rise!!)
· Continuous attacks on MoD civilian staff by discredited politicians
· Attacks on overtime
· Attacks on travel and subsistence
If we do have a £21 billion black hole, the strategic defence review that will be undertaken after the general election will undoubtedly make all of the above look like small fry in comparison.
It will not be thousands of jobs that will be under threat, or millions of pounds to be saved. It will be tens of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds required.
If the changes to the compensation scheme are forced through, it will mean your job is under threat, and if this happens then the department will get rid of you cheaply. Forget the many years loyal, dedicated service you have put in, forget that wee bit extra you have put in on countless occasions – you are just a number who will be discarded without a second thought.
The Ministry of Defence like every other governmental department is now only interested in numbers – financial numbers to make the balance sheet meet at the end of the year. Anything, or anybody else is incidental.
In the PCS MoD group, we have held over 130 CSCS meetings since last Autumn, speaking to approximately 8,000 members. Almost universally, MoD members have supported our union’s campaign and campaigning objectives. Next Monday and Tuesday we know that already we will have over 50 picket lines at MoD sites, and this number is growing by the hour.
It is now time for every PCS member in the Ministry of Defence to stand together and get fully behind our union. We have proven that when we stand together we can resist attacks from the employer and defend our jobs. Make sure everyone where you are is in our union and is prepared to stand up and defend our entitlements and our jobs.
ALL OUT ON 8TH AND 9TH MARCH – NO JOB CUTS ON THE CHEAP
Bob Rollings Chris Dando KC Jones
