Many members may not be aware that in 2003 the Company opted to offshore some of the support relating to information technology previously carried out by National Grid Information Services.  The work was awarded to a company called CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation).  Following a number of costly and damaging failures, National Grid were forced to insource critical functions in 2008.  National Grid is still paying the price for this in terms of training and recruitment to fill the gaps left when experienced and trained support staff moved on.  We understand that many National Grid employees will at times experience difficulties with support from the outsourced provider CSC. At the point that the work was outsourced the Company apparently made it clear that the previous operation was “gold plated” and that employee expectations would need to be managed into expecting a lower standard of service.  Its is scandalous that a company that claims to be world class claims to expect second class services for its employees.  We dread to think of the impact outsourcing and the second class service could have on payroll and procurement.