WIREDGOV

PCS reacted angrily to yesterday's announcement that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) plan to axe 1,000 jobs from its London HQ and move another 800 to sites outside London by 2010.

Responding to the news that 30% of posts would be axed in London, the union warned that further cuts to civilian support staff combined with the disruption of relocating staff would undermine the ability of the MoD to support the armed forces.

The union also criticised the creation of additional senior posts when today's job cuts will disproportionately fall on the lowest grades, where starting salaries including London Weighting are approximately £15,500.

12,000 jobs have already gone in the MoD across a range of areas including defence logistics, procurement, IT and armed forces training.

The news comes as PCS members are voting on further national strike action across the civil service as part of the union's campaign against job cuts, below inflation pay and privatisation. The campaign has already seen two strongly supported national one day strikes this year. The ballot closes on 31 October 2007 and the result is expected to be announced shortly after.

Commenting, PCS general secretary, Mark Serowtka said: "This move is purely about meeting arbitrary job cut targets with little or no thought about how it will impact on the support our frontline armed forces receive.  It is difficult to see how cutting 30% of staff and moving 800 out of London will not have a damaging impact. Staff will be further angered about the disproportionate impact the cuts will have on the lowest paid especially when they see the creation of new senior positions on six figure salaries.  The MoD and the government need to seriously rethink their proposals and address the concerns of staff by negotiating with the union."