Public and Commercial Services Union

Dear Colleagues,

On Monday 19th July our union was contacted by a member in Preston who had approached his Line Manager for details of what the proposed pay offer would mean for him individually. The Line Manager stated that he was unable to provide this information.

At all members meetings at Cobalt House and Washington the following day scores of other members reported the same issue and stated that they did not know what the offer was worth to them. This has created total confusion and legitimate anger across the membership.

We had previously raised this issue with HP who were insistent that members would have to approach their LM for information on their grade and therefore what the award was worth to them.

It is totally unacceptable for any member to be asked to vote on a pay award when they do not know what it is worth to them individually. In the circumstances therefore the ballot has been scrapped. Please discard your original ballot pack and please do not vote in the ballot. Votes which have already been cast and received have been destroyed.

Following discussion with the employer it has been agreed that HP will now write to each member setting out what the award is worth to them. This letter will be similar to the one that members received from Mark Manser earlier this year. HP has informed us that these letters will be dispatched by close of business on the 30th July. Members on standard terms will also receive a letter regarding opting out of ‘mychoice’.

Once members have received this information they will be able to make informed decisions before casting their vote. A new ballot will be held by the union beginning on 2nd August 2010 and closing at noon on 16th August.

Two other issues were raised at members meetings which we also promised to clarify.

Staff at Maxima

The proposed 1% Non Consolidated payment does not apply to staff at their pay band maxima. This is the proposed payment for a group of staff who are between 10-30% about their pay band maxima. Staff at the max will receive a pay award of 2.5%.

Whilst we understand – and share- the disappointment of staff well above the maxima it is normally the case that staff in both public and private sectors so far above the max (or the rate for the job) do not get a consolidated award. There cannot be a fair pay system or proper progression arrangements in such circumstances.

The fact that there are staff so far about the pay band maxima indicates the importance of reform of the pay system (and we also need to understand how staff have risen so far above their pay scale and if this can be challenged) which will form part of the pay dialogue in August should the deal be accepted by members.

One year award

A number of staff queried why the offer was for 12 months and not for 2 years which was the original offer.

The original offer from HP was for a 2 year deal, with a requirement to work an additional 30 minutes and was for image terms staff only.

This offer was withdrawn once members had rejected it.

The new offer is for 12 months, does not require members to work any additional time and is for a new image and standard terms unified bargaining unit of over 1,100 people.

Summary

Hopefully members can now cast their vote with a clear understanding of the proposal and the benefits of the offer which the strike committee is asking members to accept. If you have any further queries please attend your local union meeting or contact your union rep.

Whilst caused by factors largely outside of our control we would like to apologies to members for the ongoing delay and unacceptable failure to provide members with all of the required information.

Yours sincerely

PCS HP Enterprises Strike Committee