Forensic job losses precursor to sell-off

Unions think the radical transformation plan for the Forensic Science Service is softening up the organisation for a sell-off.

Are the finger prints of greed on the transformation of the FSS?

The plans include the loss of between 30-40% of the workforce - up to 800 of the 1,900 staff - and a blueprint to restructure the service around specific disciplines, with possible site closures. The FSS claims the plan is essential to make the business more competitive.

However, Prospect - the union that represents 1,300 scientists and other professionals within the service - is concerned that the moves are designed to make the company more attractive to potential purchasers. The union also claims the reliance on competitive tendering to expand the market for forensic services has been flawed from the start.

Prospect General Secretary Paul Noon said: “We will be scrutinising where these job losses fall to ensure this is not just an exercise to reduce the headcount leaving FSS denuded of the skills it needs. Our members take no pleasure in the fact the situation FSS finds itself in today is a direct result of flawed assumptions made in the 2003 McFarland review, which we warned against at the time but were supported by the then Home Secretary, David Blunkett.”

The union has also been told that all terms and conditions of employment are going to be looked at, including pensions. No proposals have yet been tabled, but Prospect negotiator Mike Sparham said: “We are willing to negotiate on any proposals but we will resist any attempt to impose significantly worse terms and conditions of employment on the staff remaining in the FSS. The recession should not be used cynically by the company to cut costs simply to make it more attractive to any future buyer.”