Union commits itself to naval base members

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Union commits itself to naval base members

Reacting to Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram’s announcement that a commercial bidder has won the competition to provide infrastructure support services to HM Naval Base Gibraltar, UK union Prospect has emphasised that it will continue to oppose privatisation and do whatever it can to protect and advance the interests of its members at the base.

Steve Jary, Prospect National Secretary with responsibility for Gibraltar and the MOD, said: "We are deeply disappointed by the decision to privatise this activity. After we worked so hard in the UK to get ministers to agree to have an in-house bid in the first place, it is a blow to see the efforts of our members in the naval base come to nothing."

Prospect reassured its members that it has vast experience dealing with so-called TUPE transfers and already has many members in Serco.

"There are significant challenges ahead and Prospect will continue to be there to support our members at the naval base in negotiations with the new contractor about the transfer of staff," said Jary. "We have a long-standing relationship with Serco from their involvement in MOD marine services, UK government science and the nuclear industry. We commit to bringing our influence to bear on the situation in Gibraltar, if that’s what our members want."