Moray SNP News

MSP URGES CAPITA TO SECURE 29 CIVILIAN FIRE CREW JOBS AT RAF LOSSIEMOUTH

Moray’s SNP MSP has written to Capita ahead of crunch talks on Thursday urging the company to safeguard the jobs of the 29 civilian firefighters at RAF Lossiemouth. 

Capita takes over the contract for the delivery of fire services at MOD bases in April and civilian staff are aware that there’s a proposal to make the civilian crew redundant and to replace them with military personnel.

Richard Lochhead MSP has previously written to the UK Government and Capita expressing his serious concerns over these plans.

Mr Lochhead understands that Capita is set to meet staff this week to discuss the options. Ahead of this meeting the MSP has written to the Chief Executive of Capita, Jonathan Lewis, urging him to secure these local civilian jobs and seeking a meeting to discuss the proposals.

Commenting Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“It’s extremely concerning that the risk of redundancy continues to hang over the heads of the civilian firefighters at RAF Lossiemouth.

“This is an incredibly stressful time for the staff at risk, many of whom have served at Lossiemouth for many years and who also work as retained firefighters in our local community.

“It seems that Lossiemouth is unique in that it is the only station in Scotland currently manned by civilian fire crew set to be affected by this proposal.

“With the expansion at RAF Lossiemouth this should be a time where we’re seeing an increase in the number of civilian jobs and opportunities for local folk to work at the base. But instead our local and dedicated fire crew are facing the axe, despite the commitment they’ve shown to RAF Lossiemouth down the years. 

“Ahead of these crunch talks this week  I have again written to Capita urging a rethink and pressing them to secure these local jobs – it would be a huge blow if they were to press ahead with plans to make existing staff redundant.”