Public and Commercial Services Union

Welcome to the first edition of the revamped Swansea branch newsletter. We welcome any sensible suggestions for a more inspiring or original name – please contact any of the branch officers listed below.

Branch news

You will no doubt be aware that there has been some upheaval within the DVLA Swansea branch recently, involving the suspension of two branch officers.

As the two officers involved have lodged appeals we are unable to give further details at this time.

In recent weeks, however, the remaining full-time branch officers have been working hard, in conjunction with full-time and group officers, to ensure that the branch can move forward and that members continue to have the best representation possible.

The general secretary and the national executive committee therefore want to assure members of their backing for the action plan drawn up by branch officers, to take forward the union’s work over the coming months (more details below).

During a BEC meeting held on 21 July, the senior national officer for Wales read out a memo from the general secretary.

The memo highlighted concerns about issues that the NEC felt needed to be sorted out within the branch and also recommended measures that need to be implemented as part of the national organising strategy in order to bring us in line with other PCS branches.

We must stress that the branch will continue to be run by the remaining full-time officers and BEC and that the BEC will have full ownership of the action plan.

There is no question of the branch being placed under threat of suspension as long as we can find a way forward to work together to fully implement the branch action plan.

New action plan for DVLA Swansea branch

The branch now has an action plan which identifies clear priorities for the coming months.

Branch officers and committee members spent a day with union officials based in our Cardiff office on 2 September, working to develop the plan.

The plan includes:

• a regular branch newsletter
• DVLA web pages on the PCS website
• more visible face-to-face contact and new local advice surgeries for members
• training for members interested in becoming union reps
• more support for our workplace learning initiatives
• a network of distributors to ensure that you receive union literature in good time
• encouraging young members to become active in PCS

We will keep you informed about progress on all these issues over the coming months. 

Pay update

PCS has submitted a pay claim to management. It is based on PCS’ national pay claim for a 6% increase, on the basis that pay rates have failed to keep in line with inflation over the past few years, which effectively means a cut in pay in your pocket.

The claim also seeks to address equal pay across all agencies in within the Department for Transport Group. Talks with management began on 8th September and we hope to be able to update you soon. For a full copy of our pay claim, please see the intranet.

Civil service redundancy terms under attack

As you may have read, the government is trying to tear up a longstanding agreement on the terms of the civil service compensation scheme (CSCS), which governs payments for redundancy and early retirement.

Proposals from the Cabinet Office would leave many PCS members tens of thousands of pounds worse off in the event of voluntary or compulsory redundancy. This is a particular concern at a time when tens of thousands of jobs are at risk over the next few years.

PCS, along with the other civil service unions, has been in negotiations with the Cabinet Office about the scheme since the autumn of last year.

The published proposals have not been agreed and PCS believes that the government has no right to remove them unilaterally.

The union is holding consultation meetings with members in workplaces across the country, to discuss our response to these developments. The forthcoming meetings with Mark Serwotka (see below) will cover this subject, among others. For more information, see the PCS website or the current issue of PCS View magazine. 

PCS general secretary in Swansea to meet DVLA members

PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, is planning a visit to Swansea to meet DVLA union members.

Management have agreed an hour’s facility time and use of the Richard Ley Development Centre. The dates and times of the meetings will be published soon.

We will provide transport for members based at the Morriston site. As well as talking about the proposed changes to the civil service compensation scheme (see above), Mark is particularly keen to address any concerns that members may have about recent developments within the branch and to offer assurances about the continuing support of the national union.

He will also be Mark is keen to talk to as many members as possible, to listen and respond to your views and concerns. We hope as many members as possible will come along, listen to what Mark has to say and speak your mind.

Equal pay campaign continues

One major issue that we will be seeking to address through pay negotiations is the injustice of DVLA staff being paid substantially less than colleagues elsewhere in the Department for Transport for doing essentially the same work.

DVLA is the only bargaining unit within the DfT whose staff are predominantly based in Wales – so this is an example of regional pay inequality.

In addition, DVLA is the only part of the department with a majority of female staff. We therefore believe that, in allowing such large pay gaps to exist between the agency and the rest of the DfT, the department is failing in its legal responsibility under the Gender Equality Duty.

In addition to raising this through negotiations, we are also taking a number of cases to Employment Tribunal. The next hearings are in September.  Visit these links to take part in the action or to find out more about equal pay.

Other news…

The redevelopment of the Clase Farm car park is slightly ahead of schedule. Work is progressing well, with the main drainage being laid out and installed.

The ‘B’ Block Garden area was handed back last week and access to the area has now been allowed.

Bank holidays and privilege days for women on maternity leave. PCS successfully proved that the Highways Agency’s practice of forbidding women on ordinary maternity leave from accruing bank holidays and privilege days was unlawful.

HA have now agreed that every woman who took ordinary maternity leave in the five years prior to October 2008 will now receive 6¼ annual leave days for each period of maternity leave taken.

The deputy secretary has now written to PRER to find out the agency’s stance on this issue and it will also be raised at the next GEC meeting. Please contact the PCS office if you think this applies to you.

Contact details

For further information on any of the issues covered in this newsletter, or for assistance with any other matter related to your employment with DVLA or your PCS membership, please contact one of the following.

Please also let us know if you would be interested in becoming a floor rep and/or distributor.

Richard Jenkins, branch chair

Helen Edwards, deputy secretary 

Julie Thomas, organiser
 

All c/o PCS Office C1 East DVLA Longview Road, Swansea SA6 7JL