Union claims up to 80 civil service jobs under threat at Waterside House

A TRADE union claims that up to 80 jobs are under threat as a result of plans to privatise the way the Civil Service delivers its pension service.

The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) says staff at Waterside House in Derry were “devastated” by the news.

NIPSA official Noel Griffin said the union had been informed during the summer of proposals to consider how the service for the members of the pension scheme would be delivered including the need for an integrated IT system to carry out administration and payroll schemes.

Mr Griffin added claimed the “main option” being considered was the outsourcing of the work to a private company or third party.

He added: “The outsourcing could lead to the potential loss of 80 posts which is the vast majority of staff who work in the pensions branch at Waterside House.”

Mr Griffin said he had met with staff who were “devastated” by the news.

He added: “They are extremely concerned and devastated.”

Mr Griffin said he hoped to meet with management in the coming weeks and did not rule out the possible of industrial action.

A spokesperson for the Department of Finance and Personnel said “uninformed speculation was “distressing” for staff in Waterside House.

The spokesperson added options for the review of future service delivery were being developed and as they were developed any implications for staff would be carefully considered and managed.