Defence staff begin work-to-rule

Thousands of civilian Ministry of Defence (MoD) workers are beginning a work-to-rule in a dispute over jobs.

Union members at the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) are protesting at plans to move jobs to Bath and Bristol.

The proposals affect staff at Andover, Hants; Caversfield, Oxon; Wyton, Cambs; Telford, Shropshire; Sherborne, Dorset and Yeovilton in Somerset.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said Monday's action could disrupt supplies to the armed forces.

'Uprooting families'

Workers will stick strictly to their contracts of employment, including taking a 10-minute break from their computers every hour, the union said.

The row affects about 4,000 staff at the DLO, which is being merged with the Defence Procurement Agency.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said staff had not taken the decision lightly.

He said: "They stand ready, should an emergency situation arise, to temporarily suspend their work-to-rule to ensure the front-line gets the equipment it needs.

"They have grown increasingly dismayed over these plans which will damage the local economies of the sites affected and force families to uproot and move to one of the most expensive areas of the country without any guarantee on job security."

The merger is part of a continuing efficiency drive, which will cut 10,000 jobs within the MoD. Ministers said the co-location would save about £200m over the next 25 years.