Derry MLA Pat Ramsey has expressed his frustration at the attitude of senior Department of Finance and Personnel officials over the implementation of a new IT system to manage pensions, and the impact on local jobs at Waterside House in Derry.
Pat Ramsey MLA
The SDLP representative said: “The SDLP remain resolute from a public meeting organised by NIPSA where we stated our total support for the workers and the need for the Waterside House jobs to remain where they are, and our colleague Dominic Bradley has raised this issue with officials at the Finance Committee on our behalf.
“Unfortunately, the attitude of officials to transparency on this issue of jobs has further muddied the waters on the issue – it is not conducive to partnership working and accountability to both the Assembly and their own staff.
“When questioned on 6th November by the SDLP Finance Spokesperson, officials admitted that there would be less staff required to run any in-house system as a result of the Future Delivery Project.
“This before an Outline Business Case has even been finalised is indicative of an attitude that is all wrong – we should be saving and promoting jobs, not seeking to reduce numbers.
“Talk about reduced numbers and redeployments in line with procedures will be little comfort to my constituents who work in Waterside House, and we restate our position that we are totally opposed to any version of the plan that means jobs lost in Derry.”
Mr Ramsey concluded: “I have asked the Minister’s office for a copy of the options document as soon as is possible, and we will seek to meet with NIPSA again to step up our public opposition to these plans.”
Tags: