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Section statement on pay offer

Reject the pay offer

 

Dear Colleague

Pay offer and ballot 2009/10

Please note that a copy of the final pay offer letter is available on this website.

The proposed pay increase falls below the Treasury basic guideline, it fails to address equal pay differentials within DfT, and it proposes to withdraw a number of allowances. Whilst there are some positive elements to the pay offer, nevertheless it overall fails to meet PCS objectives and the SEC urge you to vote “no” to reject the offer.

The Section Executive Committee (SEC) are pleased with the changes made to progression arrangements both in terms of spine points and in the arrangements for new starters, and the introduction of pay ranges which do not overlap.

PCS pay claim and inflationary pressures
 

PCS pay claim this year was for a 6% revalorisation on pay or a £1000 underpin. Inflationary pressures over the past year have resulted in a 35% increase in light and fuel costs, 10% on food and transport. RPI in August was -1.3% but is projected to rise to 2.6% in 2010. Holding down pay increases over the past few years has meant an effective cut in the real value of your pay. Such a deficit cannot be ignored because of a few months minus RPI levels.

London Weighting continues to be of concern, being well below other public sector comparators, such as the NHS and Fire Service.

Equal pay and Treasury guidance


For this year’s pay round, Treasury guidance suggested an increase in basic pay of 1.5%. DVLA's offer proposes an increase of 1.3% on all spine points. DVLA's response to the trade union side’s attempts to increase this was that this 1.3% was the limit of affordability given the current economic climate.

Also disappointing was the failure of the agency to take advantage of new Treasury proposals to recycle efficiency savings into workplace reform including addressing equal pay discrepancies. This offer does nothing to address the equal pay differentials that exist between the differing agencies in DfT. You will be aware that PCS has a number of equal pay cases comparing executive officers in DVLA with Driving Examiners in the DSA being heard in Tribunal. PCS also has an application for judicial review which is being stayed pending the conclusion of the Tribunal hearings. It is very disappointing that DVLA chose not to take advantage of the new Treasury proposals and address the pay gap.

Allowances
 

Following a review of allowances, Management informed us of their intention to withdraw allowances on the basis that the original basis for their introduction no longer existed. A separate statement on allowances has been issued.

Accountancy and auditors pay scales
 

Proposals for revising the pay scales for accountants and auditors have been received. Please note that these proposals do not form part of this pay offer; negotiations will be held shortly and all members affected by these proposals will be consulted separately.

Summary

The SEC believe that this was the best possible deal that we could have achieved though the negotiation process. Nevertheless for the reasons outlined above, we urge you to vote ‘No’ and reject the pay offer.

Ballot arrangements
 

These will be announced shortly. We are awaiting some final information from management and are also seeking further legal advice.

Pay meetings
 

Meetings to discuss this offer will be held shortly. Separate meetings will be arranged for those members affected by the proposed withdrawal of allowances. Please see the PCS intranet or contact your local rep for details.