Public and Commercial Services Union

Members will have seen the communication from Mark Manser dated 1 March 2010.

The communication is misleading and this PCS circular is designed to give PCS members the real facts behind the negotiations.

Error number 1 - "The Company has moved on all the issues that were raised" This is not the case. PCS has raised the following demands:

1. Job security agreement for all our members with a no compulsory redundancy guarantee.
2. Our Image pay claims to be met in full - underpinned by the principle of pay progression from minimum to maximum within 5 years, including on promotion, and a Cost Of LivingIncrease (COLI) payment.
3. Collective bargaining rights for PCS members on Standard Terms contracts. We further demand a guarantee of meaningful pay talks with a pay offer for PCS members.

The company has not moved far enough on point 1, nowhere near far enough on point 2 and as Mark Manser highlights in his own communication. The company has refused to discuss the demands in point 3.

Error number 2 - "It was agreed by the union negotiating team that they would recommend the offer and that it would be put to a ballot of all members rather than just those that were able to attend the branch meetings"

This is not the case. Our negotiators did not agree to recommend the offer to members as we were fully aware that the offer did not meet the key demands or the aspirations of our members. The Strike Committee, that is made up of elected reps from across the affected sites, unanimously agreed to reject the offer including those involved in the negotiations.

Error number 3 - "PCS have not provided any indication of what it believes would be required to resolve the dispute"

Once again, this is complete nonsense. We have been clear about the fact a job security agreement protecting members from compulsory redundancy should apply to ALL members. We have repeatedly stated that pay progression means pay progression - similar to the deal that was achieved for PCS members in Glasgow. At no point have we demanded a pay offer that moves our settlement date and means a net gain for image members of around 1% each year. We have also made it clear that any resolution must include meaningful talks on pay for our standard members.

Error number 4 - "PCS has no formal grounds to negotiate for members on Standard Terms"

It is perfectly legal for HP to enter into a formal agreement with PCS around the issue of representation for Standard Terms members. PCS achieved a similar deal for members at Fujitsu however HP have refused to discuss any of the ideas from the Fujitsu settlement.

Where now?

We are at a crucial moment in our dispute. There are some key milestones for HP to achieve in the weeks ahead and the threat of further industrial action should be sending a clear message to management that we are worth more than what is on offer. Our demands at all times have been fair and reasonable and are modest when compared to the excessive compensation packages that are dished out to senior HP leaders.

We remain open to negotiations with HP however we will not be suspending the action until a significantly better offer is on the table which meets the aspirations of our members. HP is aware of our demands and the ball is firmly in HPʼs court. The PCS negotiating team will be available as soon as management are prepared to make a suitable offer without strings attached.

We urge all members to show HP management our determination to secure our jobs and a fair pay award. We urge all non members to join our union and get involved in our campaign to win for members on image and standard contracts. Our demands are fair and they are reasonable.

• Together we can win
• Support your union
• Strike on 8th and 9th March
• Join the picket
• Ensure everyone is a member of our union
• Stand up to defend your job and for a fair pay award
• Full rights for workers on standard contracts

Jim Hanson
National Officer