HMS Dragon isn’t expected to deploy until next week (Image: Getty)
Government cost-cutting measures to only employ staff 9-5 at a UK naval port has helped slow down the deployment of a warship to the Mediterranean, a union has claimed. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) reportedly signed a contract last year ending around-the-clock hours of defence workers at Portsmouth naval base.
HMS Dragon is being sent to waters around Cyprus to help protect military personnel stationed on the island following a drone strike on an RAF base amid continued conflict in the Middle East. However, the Type 45 destroyer is not expected to set sail until next week and will likely not arrive in the region until mid-March. This has only added further pressure on the Government which has been accused of being too slow in its response.
HMS Dragon at HMNB Portsmouth (Image: Getty)
HMS Dragon remains in Portsmouth as she stocks up on ammunition and undergoes maintenance work prior to setting sail for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Prospect, which represents tug boat workers and engineers at HMNB Portsmouth, argues Government decisions to slash costs by reducing staffing at the base have contributed to delays in the warship setting sail, POLITICO reported.
The MoD reportedly awarded a new contract to private operator Serco for in-port services at the base in May last year.
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It is claimed this reduced capacity, with around-the-clock staffing stopped and 9am to 5pm weekday hours instead introduced.
Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: “Our members are stepping up to help, but such a vital service shouldn’t be dependent on goodwill from staff. Out-of-hours support should be locked into the contract.
“This contract has failed its first real encounter with a serious crisis, and must be urgently reviewed and rectified.”
Prospect claimed its members at Serco Marine Services had to come forward to offer to work evenings and weekends to get HMS Dragon ready to deploy following developments in the Gulf, POLITICO reported.
The union’s position has been disputed by both the MoD and Serco, stating that while hours have been reduced, overtime and weekend working is included in the contract.
A Serco spokesperson said: “HMS Dragon is being prepared to sail with the full support of our dedicated teams in Portsmouth.
“Serco has fulfilled every task requested by the Royal Navy on time and to the agreed standard.
“Any suggestion that the working patterns of Serco employees have impacted HMS Dragon’s ability to sail is completely untrue.”
Serco also said the core working day is 7am to 7pm under the contract, The Telegraph reported.
Staff at Portsmouth naval base reportedly went on strike last year over the new deal amid concerns over how it would stand up to operational pressure.
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Nations including France, Spain and Greece are all sending warships to help bolster Cyprus’ defence — all will likely arrive before HMS Dragon.
An MoD spokesperson said: “All requests that have been made to Serco to support the preparation of the ship have been fulfilled.”
