Union issues cuts warning

Lives will be lost if coastguard stations continue to lose experienced staff, the PCS civil service union says.

It has warned that the government is failing to retain staff after its flawed decision to close half the coastguard stations in the UK (see also Labour Research, January 2013, pages 4 and 21). Louise Ellman MP, chair of the House of Commons transport select committee, said that the manner in which changes are being imposed “has already damaged the service”.

She added: “Regrettably, the previous shipping minister was ambiguous about the timing of coastguard closures and this has dented staff morale across the service.” Three stations have already closed and even at stations which are to remain open, disillusioned staff are leaving.

As a result, coastguard stations are almost 90 watchkeepers down, leaving them with severe staff shortages.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka urged the government to “act immediately to address this dangerous decline”.