10,000 Job Cuts On The Way: Nipsa

The storm brewing over news that the NI Housing Executive has said 450 jobs will go over the next three years - in a bid to save money - is nothing compared to a startling revelation today that some 10,000 jobs could be lost across Northern Ireland's government departments.

Already blasting the NIHE over cuts, the union Nipsa is now claiming that these cuts are "the tip of the iceberg".

It has said thousands of civil service posts could go due to an efficiency drive which aims to raise £790m.

Nipsa's Bumper Graham said the civil service cuts announced by Gordon Brown when he was Chancellor had been taken up by Finance Minister Peter Robinson.

He was speaking after the Housing Executive announced the loss of 450 jobs over the next three years.

It confirmed the cuts in response to Nipsa claims that 60 temporary staff have been dismissed in recent weeks. The union is threatening strike action.

However, in a statement, a Housing Executive spokesperson said: "Most of those who have left were on 13-week contracts.

"The Executive is expected to make reductions in our staffing budget but has consulted with Nipsa over this."

But, the trade union said earlier that industrial action could follow as no arrangement has been made to cover the work.

Speaking to the BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme today, Maureen Taggart, Head of Personnel for the Housing Executive, said the staff cuts would be primarily administrative and professional/technical staff.

She said the job cuts would also hit management and supervisory levels.

"It is always difficult when staff are released, but the Housing Executive in line with all government departments is required to deliver a 5% efficiency savings each year for the next three years," she said.

In counterpoint, Nipsa's Bumper Graham said that it is "hard to see how we can move forward on the housing front at the same time that 15% of the workforce is going to be slashed".

(BMcC)