MP vows to fight "tooth and nail" to save civil service jobs (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Campaign to keep education staff in Darlington gathers support
6:46pm Wednesday 14th November 2012 in News
By Steven Hugill
Darlington MP Jenny Chapman
THE battle to keep up to 400 civil servant jobs in Darlington has intensified after The Northern Echo launched a petition which has been backed by the town's MP Jenny Chapman.
Staff at the Department of Education (DfE) site in Mowden Hall face uncertainty after bosses announced the site would close, with workers forced to move across the North-East.
The announcement comes as the DfE looks to axe about 1,000 jobs nationally.
However, last night more than 150 people, union officials and Darlington MP Jenny Chapman, had backed the Echo’s Save Our Jobs campaign.
Mrs Chapman has vowed to fight “tooth and nail” to keep the staff in Darlington.
The workers are being relocated due to Mowden Hall’s poor state of repair, with the DfE linked to a move to Newcastle.
A move to Lingfield Point or Northgate House, both in Darlington, has not been ruled out.
A decision is expected on Mowden Hall by March next year.
In an open letter to staff, Mrs Chapman said: “The news was a shock to everyone and this has the potential to be a disaster.
“We need to come up with a credible long-term option as making a noise will not be enough.
“Many people have given their working lives to serving children and families through Mowden Hall; they are settled in Darlington with children, community ties and have mortgages to pay.
“Daily travel to Newcastle is simply not an option and I promise I will fight tooth and nail to keep your jobs here.”
Robbie Faulds, the Public and Commercial Services Union’s education group spokesman, will meet staff tomorrow (Friday, November 16), and welcomed the Echo’s campaign.
He said: “The support is absolutely marvellous and the union is extremely grateful for the backing of The Northern Echo.
“It is vitally important we keep these jobs in Darlington because these cuts are disproportionate to other parts of the country.”
A DfE spokesman previously said the department was conducting a detailed review of its resources.
He said: “The Department for Education is committed to retaining an office in the North-East, where we have more than 400 skilled and experienced staff.”
You can join The Northern Echo’s fight to help keep jobs in Darlington, by signing an online petition at northernecho.co.uk/jobspetition
Comments(10)
Davy Crocket
says...
7:20am Thu 15 Nov 12
jewitt
says...
8:46am Thu 15 Nov 12
Davy Crocket wrote:You need to remember that an awful lot of private companies service the public sector - Station taxis from the station, building management companies (interserve) and even shops in the Cockerton area. This closure will have an horrendous economic impact on the town and house prices in lower-middle income areas such as the Denes. Sadly, I don;t think there is a site in the town that can remotely service this volume of people unless you split the operation up. Mistake was made 3 years ago by DFE when there was the opportunity to take up a new facility in the town centre.
How stupid ... what we need is a thriving private sector. No wonder this country is bring ruined by those encouraging public spending...you can't spend your way out of debt !!
BMD
says...
11:45am Thu 15 Nov 12
frankyboy
says...
12:55pm Thu 15 Nov 12
BMD wrote:Ha! She's not bad looking in real life, so I think she should ask the Echo to bin this particular photo.
Its a great oppotunity for Jenny to show how sharp her teeth and claws are, sadly I believe both are false
It always reminds me of Nick Griffin.
MST1975
says...
4:00pm Thu 15 Nov 12
If this is the case, then surely there is ample office space for DFE employs at Morton Park, north gate house or even Lingfielf Point. Can see why they should have to accommodate a private company. That could source there own accommodation elsewhere in the town.
st-george1
says...
4:05pm Thu 15 Nov 12
… the difference between GOD and an opposition Labour MP is that GOD isn't a politician and doesn’t make false claims …
fixthecouncil
says...
4:10pm Thu 15 Nov 12
MST1975 wrote:only10% of workers actually live in darlington...the rest travel to darlington to work...so basically....who cares..
I my be wrong but they are also looking for a site that not only can accommodate the DFE staff, but also the private company Capita lot that also work at Mowden.
If this is the case, then surely there is ample office space for DFE employs at Morton Park, north gate house or even Lingfielf Point. Can see why they should have to accommodate a private company. That could source there own accommodation elsewhere in the town.
MST1975
says...
9:05pm Thu 15 Nov 12
fixthecouncil wrote:So why comment fool
MST1975 wrote:only10% of workers actually live in darlington...the rest travel to darlington to work...so basically....who cares..
I my be wrong but they are also looking for a site that not only can accommodate the DFE staff, but also the private company Capita lot that also work at Mowden.
If this is the case, then surely there is ample office space for DFE employs at Morton Park, north gate house or even Lingfielf Point. Can see why they should have to accommodate a private company. That could source there own accommodation elsewhere in the town.
George BA
says...
4:00pm Fri 16 Nov 12
spragger says...
10:01pm Wed 14 Nov 12
Has this MP achieved anything yet?