PCS: Fight goes on to keep Newport jobs after campaign saves office
The fight goes on to keep jobs in a deprived area of the country after a Public and Commercial Services union-led community campaign forces the UK government into a partial climbdown.
A ministerial announcement today (23) confirms plans to retain a reduced passport office presence in Newport, south Wales. Approximately half the staff will lose their jobs, but 150 will remain – 100 more than previously announced.
The union has campaigned with politicians, local media and communities in Newport to save the office and says the announcement shows the government has been forced to respond to public opinion.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The plan to close the Newport office has represented an attack on an area of the UK economy crying out for investment not cuts, and we remain seriously concerned that half of the jobs are still under threat.
“I would like to pay tribute to our members who have fought these ill-conceived plans from the outset. We are determined to continue that fight.”
ENDS
Notes
– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216
– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich – on Twitter @janicegodrich
– Follow PCS on Twitter @pcs_union
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