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Cuts to Royal Fleet Auxilary risks jobs cuts says union (From This is Hampshire)
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Cuts to Royal Fleet Auxilary risks jobs cuts says union
3:54pm Wednesday 9th December 2009
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- By Corey Stephenson » Senior News and Video Reporter
HUNDREDS of people in Hampshire could be at risk of losing their jobs if any plans to privatise the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) go ahead, union leaders have warned.
It is expected that budget cuts for the Ministry of Defence will be outlined in today’s Pre- Budget Report and that Treasury demands could force defence bosses to look at privatising the fleet, which supplies fuel, food stores and ammunition to the Royal Navy.
With Marchwood being a key port for the RFA, leaders from the RMT Union warn that hundreds of people in Hampshire and the south would be hit following any changes that come with a reported £200m cut in the defence budget.
Although no RFA staff are permanently based at Marchwood, home to the Army’s 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, the unions say hundreds of members live near the port and across Southampton and Portsmouth.
RMT members have been told in briefings that the Treasury is demanding a ten per cent cut and that the department has been forced to look at plans to privatise the civilian-manned fleet, which is owned by the MoD.
RMT said yesterday that by speaking against any possible cuts they were hoping to raise a political backlash against any threats to the Navy’s “lifeline”, which consists of 16 vessels and around 2,000 personnel.
They also warned that selling the RFA to private companies would threaten the reliability and security to naval vessels as the drive for profits and cuts would override the quality of service as well as putting jobs at risk.
Steve Todd, RMT National Maritime Secretary, said: “Thousands of skilled merchant seafarers, serving the Royal Navy in war zones around the world and here at home, face the possibility of being slung on the scrap heap.
“That is a disgraceful kick in the teeth to brave seafarers who have played a vital role in conflict after conflict with many paying the ultimate price with their lives.”
A MoD spokesman said: “The MoD is working with the Treasury to look at ways we can improve efficiency across defence. We are considering a number of options and trade unions are fully engaged in the process.”
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Your Say YourHampshire
Condor Man, Southampton says...
10:20pm Wed 9 Dec 09
southy wrote:it would probably be cheaper to employ mercenaries, especially in Afghanistan where our troops buy most of their own kit anyway and even have to pay for their own meals.
What next the privatising off the main arm forces next.
If the government hadn't sold all the gold at the lowest price EVER, took 1/4 of everyone's pension, trapped millions in tax credit hell, wasted billions on failed schemes like Sure Start and the general secondary school debacle then perhaps we'd have money for the military.
Brock_and_Roll, Brock says...
9:25am Thu 10 Dec 09
As reported in Private Eye this week, the RN has 95 senior officers (Admirals, Rear Admirals, Commodores etc) but only has a fleet of 95 ships. Plenty of room for savings there I think!
southy, redbridge says...
10:25am Thu 10 Dec 09
Sneakyninja wrote:ah you mean like the thatchers did, but it failed. because that what the private sector means failure and at a higher cost, a cost that tax payer will pay.
southy wrote:I wouldn't be suprised in the least Southy if we go the same way as the US and start employing 'Private Millitary Contractors' or Mercenaries as Condor calls them...
What next the privatising off the main arm forces next.
...oh wait! We have.
one of the main reason why our armed services are so much better than the usa, is because the private sector was kept out of the loop in all branches.
Sneakyninja, Beastleigh. says...
10:58am Thu 10 Dec 09
southy wrote:Indeed like the Thatchers but that failed due to bad planning.
Sneakyninja wrote:ah you mean like the thatchers did, but it failed. because that what the private sector means failure and at a higher cost, a cost that tax payer will pay.
southy wrote:I wouldn't be suprised in the least Southy if we go the same way as the US and start employing 'Private Millitary Contractors' or Mercenaries as Condor calls them...
What next the privatising off the main arm forces next.
...oh wait! We have.
one of the main reason why our armed services are so much better than the usa, is because the private sector was kept out of the loop in all branches.
Unfortunatly our goverment do have dealings with the PMC sectior as after some digging around, i've found we have companies like Agies Defence Services which is owned by former Lieutenant-Colonel and well known mercenary Tim Spicer. There's also the Control Risks Group which the goverment contact to protect our embassies and consulates abroad.
I'm proud of our armed forces and it saddens me that while they put their lives at risk, someone else is reaping the financial benefits.
southy, redbridge says...
12:41pm Thu 10 Dec 09
Sneakyninja wrote:ummm well they are sort off private sector, ummm how can i say this, do deeper research, look into the spooks dept.
southy wrote:Indeed like the Thatchers but that failed due to bad planning.
Sneakyninja wrote:ah you mean like the thatchers did, but it failed. because that what the private sector means failure and at a higher cost, a cost that tax payer will pay.
southy wrote:I wouldn't be suprised in the least Southy if we go the same way as the US and start employing 'Private Millitary Contractors' or Mercenaries as Condor calls them...
What next the privatising off the main arm forces next.
...oh wait! We have.
one of the main reason why our armed services are so much better than the usa, is because the private sector was kept out of the loop in all branches.
Unfortunatly our goverment do have dealings with the PMC sectior as after some digging around, i've found we have companies like Agies Defence Services which is owned by former Lieutenant-Colonel and well known mercenary Tim Spicer. There's also the Control Risks Group which the goverment contact to protect our embassies and consulates abroad.
I'm proud of our armed forces and it saddens me that while they put their lives at risk, someone else is reaping the financial benefits.
Navy cuts would put jobs at risk – unions
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southy, redbridge says...
8:30pm Wed 9 Dec 09