RESCUE centre workers based in Weymouth walked out early today in the first of a series of ‘lightning’ strikes against plans to close Portland Coastguard station.

Controllers at the maritime rescue co-ordination centre on the quay who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are joining in a national demonstration against moves to axe nine of the UK’s 18 coastguard stations and shed hundreds of jobs.

Campaigners believe the decision will cost lives.

Under government plans, Portland will close by the end of March 2015 and a new base in Fareham, Hampshire, will take over co-ordinating rescues off Dorset. The Echo launched a Save our Lifesavers campaign against the move and despite a 22,000-signiture petition and widespread condemnation, shipping minister Mike Penning confirmed the decision at the end of last year.

The first of a week-long series of walkouts by Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) workers at Portland Coastguard happened between 3am and 4am today. Day shift workers will then walk out from 11am to noon tomorrow and then strikes will alternate between night and day shifts up to and including the day shift next Friday.

All action will be between 3am and 4am on nights, and 11am and noon on days. The action does not affect coastguard search teams, lifeboats or search and rescue helicopters.

The lightning strikes have been planned in such a way to cause disruption so that managers will have to come in and cover the shifts.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Margaret Leic-ester said: “I’m 100 per cent behind them.

“Closing the centre is the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “I can’t agree with strike action by those whose job it is to save lives however I totally understand that depth of feeling and no doubt anger at the government’s decision to close the co-ordination centre and withdraw the helicopter.”

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said members believe ‘these cuts could put lives at risk’.

Driving test centres affected too

INDUSTRIAL action is also likely to affect the driving test centre in Dorchester this afternoon.

But candidates who have a practical test booked for today are advised to turn up as normal, says the Driver Standards Agency (DSA).

PCS members who are driving examiners in the DSA will hold a two-hour strike against job cuts, privatisation and plans to close driving test centres.

Another strike is planned for June 15.

Theory tests are not affected and will be taking place as planned.

The DSA’s chief executive Rosemary Thew said: “Not all examiners are members of the PCS union and even if they are, we can’t be sure that they’ll support the strike.

“So we’re asking candidates who have chosen to keep their test booking for the afternoon of Friday, June 8 or June 15 to come for their test as normal so it can go ahead if possible.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this will cause and will do everything we can to minimise disruption for our customers.”