Public and Commercial Services Union

 

Further to the members’ briefing (MB 05/10) issued on 18 June providing details of the role mapping review that had been undertaken for ONS Engineering Services staff we were informed on the 4 August that the outcome letters are due to be sent to staff this week.

 

Those members who have been placed in a higher role code will have their salary adjusted accordingly, including any backdated payments from the 2009 pay award. Specific details of the backdated pay will be confirmed to individuals at the end of the month.

 

You will recall that this issue arose when staff working on the ONS contract TUPE transferred to Fujitsu in 2008 and there were some inaccuracies in the original mapping process. The review was conducted by identifying the old ONS Engineering Services roles and then mapping them against Fujitsu professional communities and benchmarks. Where the review team had any queries further clarification was sought from team managers. Therefore, PCS advises every member to discuss their individual decision with their manager in the first instance as they were the ones who provided input into the review.

 

It is important to understand what information managers provided to the review team to allow members to decide whether to appeal the decision or not. For example, were full details of your role provided to the review team, were some of your responsibilities missed out or understated?

 

We advise members to request that a summary of these meetings are confirmed in writing so it can be used as evidence should you decide to appeal your role mapping decision. 

PCS has proposed that staff be able to appeal the review decision and that the appeal deadline be 28 days from receipt of the decision letter.

 

This has been agreed by the company. Enclosed with your decision letter will be an appeal form which you are required to complete and return by the 28 day deadline. It is a requirement of the appeal process for you to have discussed the decision with your manager.

 

Please ensure that you do this as soon as you receive your letter. The appeal will consist of a face to face meeting where you will be asked to put forward the reasons why you feel you should be in a higher role code. You will also be entitled to trade union representation at this meeting.

 

If you require assistance with making an appeal, please contact your local PCS representative Arron Maspero based at the Titchfield site in the first instance email: Arron.Maspero@ons.gsi.gov.uk tel: 07867 823302. PCS will arrange for trade union representation for appeal hearings for those members who require one.

The ONS Role Mapping exercise has highlighted the need for an agreed, transparent process for mapping staff to role codes as part of the TUPE transfer process.

 

PCS believes that any agreed process should involve union consultation and an appeals process as a minimum. The company and PCS have agreed to use the upcoming TUPE transfer of staff from HP Enterprise Services as a pilot for a process to align staff to Fujitsu professional communities and reward structures.

 

The success of PCS depends on having high membership levels; on having well-organised workplaces and, an active membership that is prepared to support our elected representatives. As a member, please encourage your colleagues to join PCS and to play a part in improving their working life.