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MoD managers to strike over pay MoD managers to strike over pay
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of Ministry of Defence managers and technical staff, angry over a pay deal, are to go on strike for the first time in 25 years.Thousands of Ministry of Defence managers and technical staff, angry over a pay deal, are to go on strike for the first time in 25 years.
Managers and technical staff belonging to Prospect union have voted to take action over a pay deal the union describes as a "kick in the teeth". Engineers and scientists belonging to Prospect union are among those who will take action over a pay deal the union describes as a "kick in the teeth".
Up to 6,000 people are expected to walk out on 28 February - the day the two-year deal is imposed.Up to 6,000 people are expected to walk out on 28 February - the day the two-year deal is imposed.
"Safety-critical" work will be exempt from the strike. The MoD said its offer of a minimum of 2.5% could be boosted by bonuses.
The union said the rise was worth 2.5% each year, below the rate of inflation. Prospect said the rise was worth 2.5% each year, below the rate of inflation.
Our members feel that the offer is an insult to loyal, dedicated staff, who have been working hard to maintain and improve support to the front line Steve JaryProspect
The union said the row followed sweeping job cuts at the MoD and privatisation of services, which it said were causing long-term damage.
National secretary Steve Jary said: "Virtually all Prospect members in specialist civilian grades stand to receive just 2.5%.National secretary Steve Jary said: "Virtually all Prospect members in specialist civilian grades stand to receive just 2.5%.
"Our members feel that the offer is an insult to loyal, dedicated staff, who have been working hard to maintain and improve support to the front line while facing massive changes in the size and shape of the MoD civil service.""Our members feel that the offer is an insult to loyal, dedicated staff, who have been working hard to maintain and improve support to the front line while facing massive changes in the size and shape of the MoD civil service."
An MoD spokesman said they did not anticipate that any sites or establishments would close as a result of the strike.
"The offer is in line with offers made to other government departments and accepted by them," he said.
"The stated aim is to hold down inflation and for public sector pay awards for 2006 not to exceed 1.9%".
He said the pay offer was a minimum of 2.5%, but with bonuses, would amount to 3.5% for some staff.
In January thousands of civil servants went on strike across the UK, in a row over job cuts and pay.