PCS: Offshore plan is ‘key test’ of ministers’ rhetoric on economy
Offshore plan is 'key test' of ministers' rhetoric on economy
Industrial action by IT workers who maintain the records of millions of people for the Department for Work and Pensions starts on Monday (8) in a bid to stop the data being offshored to India.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services union employed by Hewlett Packard on the government contract voted almost unanimously for the action over concerns for their jobs and the security of the information.
Because of the security issues, the plans are subject to approval by the DWP and the Cabinet Office and the union says the decision will test whether ministers are more committed to cutting spending than helping companies create jobs in the UK.
The union believes this is the first time it has been proposed to send the live records of so many people overseas, and says it could set a precedent as contracts do not forbid the transfer of government IT work overseas.
PCS is also questioning the economic benefits of offshoring these functions and is commissioning research into the plans.
The industrial action, which won the support of 92.5% of those who voted in a ballot, means staff will refuse to co-operate with the process of exporting their work from sites in Newcastle, Lytham and Sheffield to Bangalore, which could lead to the loss of up to 200 posts.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This is a key test of ministers' rhetoric on the economy. They can't simultaneously demand cuts from private contractors and put their faith in them to create jobs.
"The government should put a stop to this plan to ensure that no jobs are lost and the security of millions of people's personal records is not put at risk."
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 around 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
-01.png){kind=spacer}