Union reports mixed reactions
The PCS Union has said there’s a mixed response to the news that David Cameron’s department is moving 1000 civil servants out of East Kilbride.
Following Monday’s shock revelation regarding the future of Abercrombie House and location moves for both Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and HMRC staff, the Public and Commercial Services Union said the move has been welcomed by some members who prefer to work in Glasgow.
However, it does recognise there are many staff based in EK and rural locations who have “considerable concerns”.
The FCDO announced to staff, with only an hour’s advance notice to union representatives, it will be leaving in 2025 for Glasgow city centre.
The exact location has yet to be revealed but the employer has told PCS it believes it will have more than enough capacity to meet the department’s future Places for Growth (PfG) aims of increasing staffing levels outside of London.
A statement on the PCS website reads: “Whilst FCDO have made some positive soundings about the potential for excess fares, and given an assurance that there will not be compulsory redundancies as a result of the move, many staff are rightly worried about the impact on their ability to regularly commute to the new location.
“PCS also raised concerns about the impact on outsourced workers employed by G4S and OCS. FCDO have advised the impacted employees that they will stay at Aber-crombie House. PCS have contacted the external employers to request consultation.
“We have asked for the Equality Impact Assessment for the move and will request sight of a postcode analysis of employees to explore issues further.
“Although the announcement of the move of HMRC to Abercrombie House was positive for many HMRC employees,
PCS recognise that the news is more complex for members in FCDO.
“We will continue to follow up the concerns and issues already raised, and consult members on any proposals presented to us.”