TRADE unionists vowed to continue to battle against cuts to the Newport passport office at a public meeting last night, suggesting workers may take strike action over the move.

Paul McGoay, president of the Public and Commercial Service union's IPS group, called for industrial action at the office in response to the Identity and Passport Service's decision to cut the size of the office in half.

IPS last week announced that workers will have to reapply for the 150 jobs that will remain at the office, with 120 positions to go. Another 30 people have already taken voluntary redundancy.

Around 40 people, including passport office workers, gathered in the Kings Hotel, Newport, last night[Tues] at the meeting to discuss how to take the campaign on the office forward.

Panellists at the meeting included Newport passport office Public and Commercial Services union office representative Ben Rapier and the union’s vice-president John McInally.

PCS is currently balloting all its members, including workers at the Newport Passport Office, for a national strike over government cuts.

Mr McGoay said strike action was needed across the public sector: “It's the only language they understand”.

“Its absolutely key that we build for that campaign in Newport, it will send a strong message to passport office management if people in Newport and IPS take industrial action,” he said.

He said one of the union's key demands to the Home Office will be that every job at the passport office is retained.

Mr Rapier added: “We need to counter this propaganda we're getting from management. I don't think its fair that people are having to apply for jobs that they are already doing.”