FDA welcomes groundbreaking agreement with DWP - 19 November 2004

A groundbreaking agreement was reached today between the FDA and Department for Work and Pensions on processes to help avoid compulsory redundancies that may result from the implementation of the 2004 Spending Review.

The DWP and the FDA issued the following joint statement:

"After extensive and positive negotiations, the DWP and its national trade unions have reached an agreement called 'Seeking to Avoid Compulsory Redundancy'. Against the background of the 2004 Spending Review, we have agreed to work constructively together to seek to avoid compulsory redundancies though redeployment and voluntary measures. This important agreement will minimise uncertainty for everyone."

Welcoming the agreement, Jonathan Baume, FDA General Secretary, said:
"The FDA welcomes this agreement as a positive step forward in our aim to avoid compulsory redundancies. We praise the constructive engagement of the DWP and look forward to working with the department on its implementation. We see this agreement as a model for dialogue across the civil service and will continue our work with departments to avoid compulsory redundancies."

Notes for Editors
1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UK's 12,000 senior civil and public servants. Our members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers.

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