By 61% to 39%, they voted in favour of a one-day strike to be held on 28 February. They are protesting over a two-year pay offer worth 2.5% for most staff in 2006 and 2007, which will be imposed on staff by MOD on the day of the protest.
The action comes after months of negotiations between Prospect and MOD broke down in January. National Secretary Steve Jary said: "It is unfair to reward the skilled men and women who provide essential back-up for Britain’s armed forces with one of the lowest pay increases in the public sector this year.
"This offer is a kick in the teeth for years of commitment by dedicated staff, without whom the front line simply could not function. The action is not an attempt to bring government to its knees, it is a demonstration of resolve that government must value its most skilled staff if it wants decent logistical support for the armed forces."
Safety-critical and essential operational work will be exempt from the action, by agreement between MOD and Prospect. Prospect has written to Defence Secretary Des Browne to press for urgent talks on pay 2006 and 2007, and to confirm which members should be exempt from the strike action. Jary added:
"Prospect stands ready to negotiate over pay for both years at any moment. If MOD responds constructively to our concerns our MOD Group Council will of course reconsider the call for a strike."
The MOD pay offer affects 9,000 professional staff covered by the central MOD pay agreement, but not staff in separate bargaining units such as the Met Office and the UK Hydrographic Office.
The dispute over pay comes on top of a wide-ranging programme of change in MOD that has involved sweeping job cuts and privatisation of key tasks. Prospect believes this is doing long-term damage to MOD’s role as an intelligent customer, standards of specialist support to the armed forces and contingency provision.
Prospect represents staff in science and engineering disciplines at all levels across MOD. They provide the three services with scientific and telecommunications skills, supervise the repair and refurbishment of military and transport equipment, carry out research and development, and oversee £14 billion of procurement contracts with the private sector.