FORENSIC SCIENTISTS FACE POSSIBLE JOB LOSSES
The professional engineers' trade union, Prospect, say they fear Government is planning to sell off the Forensic Science Service after it was announced that eight hundred jobs are to go in the FSS.
Prospect says the plans involve reducing the workforce by between thirty and forty per cent, possible site closures and a blueprint to restructure the service around specific forensic disciplines.
The union say they are concerned that the move is intended to make the business more attractive to potential buyers. But, say union officials, it adds to earlier concerns that the introduction of competitive tendering has been flawed from the start.
SEW News also understands that the union have been told the employment contracts of all staff will be reviewed as well as pension arrangements.
Prospect spokesman Mike Sparham said: “Staff are shocked at the scale of the redundancies and the union is now seeking to minimise the cuts and ensure they are undertaken on a voluntary basis. The FSS’ status as the main police supplier is now under threat, as its market share has fallen significantly since its establishment as a GovCo in 2005.”
Prospect says a restructured FSS will not work unless the Home Office restates its commitment to the service and takes a lead in developing the forensics market as a whole.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The forensics market is changing with increased competition, reduced business volumes and a higher cost base. He added "It is right that the FSS should put itself in a sustainable position for the future, continuing, "As part of this, the FSS has begun a consultation with its staff and unions on the implementation of a wide-ranging transformation plan which is vital to the long term survival of the company. This plan has been approved by the Government."
A spokesman for the FSS said: "The FSS has today started a period of collective consultation with its staff to discuss how the business can be reorganised in response to the changing demands of police customers. With the introduction of the new National Forensic Procurement Framework, under which forensic service providers must bid for contracts, it is important to be able to offer the most efficient, swift and cost-effective results to help support the police. The FSS has therefore embarked upon a reorganisation that will change the way the company operates, which will be rolled out progressively over the next 18 months.
He added "It is important to note that this marks the start of the process, in which we will be working closely with employee representatives and employees to determine how best to accomplish this. The size of the company will depend largely upon the degree to which work is won or lost. It is too soon, therefore, to say for certain what the final outcome will be.
He continued "However, scientific excellence will remain at the centre of all that we do: there are no circumstances under which we would consider jeopardising the quality standards and scientific integrity that lie at the heart of what we do.’
ENDS