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The union to ballot over the civil service compensation scheme

22 January 2010

Faced with Government plans to worsen our redundancy rights substantially the Union has no choice but to ballot members on industrial action.

The ballot will start on 4 February and run to 25 February. PCS is asking members to vote “YES” to strike action over the Government plans.

The national union has set out its reasoning for the ballot.

The Union in DfT fully backs this call. PCS has tried to negotiate a settlement but the Government is refusing to talk seriously.

Cuts in pay outs
 

Up to now the civil service has generally let people take voluntary redundancy on what are called “compulsory” terms i.e. the best terms.

That will change if the Government gets its way. Departments will have complete freedom to offer terms that are much worse than “compulsory” for those who wish to leave voluntarily. Of course at the same time it intends to cut the compulsory terms as well.

Cuts in pay outs means cuts in staffing


The only reason why this Government is cutting redundancy pay outs is because it intends to “let” many staff go in the future.

Up to now the cost of making staff redundant has been a disincentive to make redundancies. Of course the cheaper it is to cut staff the more economic it is to cut more staff. Therefore by defending our current rights we are indirectly protecting staffing levels in the future.

Allowing the changes invites more attacks


We have already reported the Conservative Party’s views on the compensation scheme.

If we roll over and die on this issue then if the Conservatives are elected they will make our terms even worse.

In the background our pensions
 

In our opinion the dispute over the compensations scheme is just a prelude to the fight over our pension rights. Again if we react weakly then we invite an attack on our pensions.

Union’s position
 

It is recognised that age discrimination legalisation will mean changes to the current scheme (which has a number of age related elements). PCS understands this and wants to negotiate a settlement. We want a new scheme for all members; including those in the nuvos pension scheme ( the scheme for those joining the service since 30 July 2007). Everybody should have the same terms.

Not only industrial action
 

Alongside the ballot the Union is pursuing other options. For example it will instigate a judicial review over retaining accrued rights gained under the CSCS. It also wants members to lobby MPs.

That said it is vitally important that all members vote in the ballot and vote “YES” to action.

 

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