Talks to avert civil service strike

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/stor ... 63,00.html

Press Association
Tuesday November 6, 2007 6:18 AM

Crucial talks aimed at averting a fresh wave of strikes by civil servants in a bitter row over pay and jobs is being held

Leaders of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) will meet Government officials amid renewed fears of huge job losses and below-inflation wage rises.

The union voiced concern at reports the Ministry of Defence could cut up to 9,000 jobs among workers who buy and maintain equipment for the armed forces.

The union said it would fight any cutbacks at the MoD as part of its campaign against job losses across the civil service.

The union will on Tuesday deliver an "alternative Queen's Speech" aimed at highlighting the role civil and public servants play in implementing the Government's legislative programme.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Job cuts, below-inflation pay and outsourcing are all taking their toll and will ultimately undermine the Government's ambitions which they are setting out in today's Queen's Speech.

"This is the message which we will be articulating as we enter in to meaningful negotiations with the Cabinet Office in an effort to find a negotiated outcome to the union's national dispute over jobs, pay and conditions."

Prospect, the union for defence specialists, attacked reports that the MoD's defence equipment and support organisation faced a cut in its workforce from 28,000 to 19,000 because of last month's comprehensive spending review.

"Operational demands on the army increase day-by-day but logistics support to the armed forces is to be slashed by a third," said national officer Steve Jary.

"This contradiction makes no sense, militarily or economically. MoD is not about to cut bureaucracy and administrative overheads, it is cutting the direct supply chain to the front line - clothing and equipment, accommodation and training."