Union Anger as Coastguard Stations Slashed

The following details have been supplied by the PCS HQ:

Unions have expressed dismay at government plans to slash the number of 24-hour coastguard stations from 18 to three. Shipping minister Mike Penning said the major reorganisation of the Coastguard, announced in December, would improve services and cut costs. But RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: 'It's a shocking indictment on this ConDem government that plans to cut our coastguards could even be considered, let alone implemented, and shows that they are quite prepared to hack away at life or death services. These proposals must be fought tooth and nail every step of the way.' PCS, the union representing 750 members in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, also said the announcement that 10 of the UK's coastguard stations would close was a concern.

Jeremy Gautrey, PCS negotiations officer for MCA, said: 'We will be studying the detail of these proposals very carefully to ensure that lives would not be put at risk and that the ability of our members to provide an emergency service is not compromised.'

Shadow transport minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: 'There are real fears about the ability of such a reduced service to respond to incidents in good time and the loss of local knowledge can only hinder search and rescue operations.'

Under the government's plan, which is the subject of a consultation exercise, there will be three 24-hour operational centres - at Aberdeen, in the Southampton/Portsmouth area and at Dover. In addition, there will be five sub-centres open during daylight hours - at Swansea, Falmouth, Bridlington and at either Belfast or Liverpool and at either Stornoway or Shetland. An additional small centre on the Thames will not be affected by the proposals.