Public and Commercial Services Union
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Leaked document shows bosses withheld decision

Transport ministers and officials have been heavily criticised by PCS for deciding to close the Driving Standards Agency's Cardiff office but holding back the announcement for more than a month.

A document leaked to the union show the closure plans, which will mean the loss of 80 jobs, were confirmed by 13 December but transport minister Mike Penning told officials to delay the announcement until “while the public sector situation in Wales was considered and to enable the announcement to be made when parliament was sitting”.

Union reps were not officially told, despite a previous written agreement they would be informed of the management’s decision on 15 December.

When, on 5 January, PCS highlighted a previously leaked document to warn DSA employees the closure decision was likely, the agency’s chief executive Rosemary Thew sent all staff a memo suggesting these concerns could be discounted, because the document related to “discussions which took place almost a year ago” and “time and circumstances have moved on significantly”.

The circular reassured staff she would “keep them fully informed” about any “firm proposals” – yet we now know a memo had already been drafted to inform Cardiff staff of the office closure decision.

PCS Wales secretary Peter Harris said: “The decision to shut the DSA’s Cardiff office is a huge blow not just to the 80 staff who face redundancy but to the whole public sector and the economy of Wales.

“It comes after other announcements, including the closure of the passport office in Newport, which represent a major attack on our public services and a threat to economic recovery.”

Martin Ogilvie, PCS negotiations officer for the DSA, added: “This is a short-term decision, which DSA management admit will save only £4 million over 10 years.

“DSA staff in Cardiff have been anxious about their future since the possibility of the closure was first suggested in October and it is adding insult to injury for ministers to sit on this decision for political reasons and for the chief executive to pretend that no decision had been made.

“We are clear that the campaign to keep Cardiff office open is not finished. We will continue to run a vigorous campaign and to ensure our members are protected.”

 

 

 

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