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DVLA Section News

A brand new newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of the PCS Section Executive Committee newsletter. PCS within DVLA is comprised of 4 branches, Swansea branch as well as the 3 network branches covering the Southern, Midlands and Northern regions. Representatives from the 4 branches make up the DVLA Section Executive Committee (SEC). Amongst its roles the SEC co-ordinates campaigning and organising across all 4 branches.

There are more than 4,000 PCS members within DVLA, which means that approximately two thirds of DVLA Staff are PCS members.

Each branch has a healthy percentage of members but PCS is always keen to sign up new members. If you would like to join PCS or would like more information, please contact your local PCS representative or office. 

EO equal pay cases – why is it taking so long?

We’re sure this must be a question that many EO’s are asking. The hearing into these cases finished some months ago. PCS were advised to expect a decision in this matter in May, unfortunately the decision has not yet materialised. With both sides in this case already stating that any decision not in their favour will be appealed, the fact is that at present we do not know when to expect a verdict. However PCS will keep you up to date with all developments when they happen. The bright side of the delay is that if you are an EO and have yet to sign up to the Equal Pay Claim, there is still time for you to do so.

If PCS is successful in this case, all EO’s will benefit by having their pay increased, however only EO’s that have signed up to the PCS Equal Pay Claim will be entitled to claim for a backdated pay claim. This claim could take into account as much as the previous six years salary. If you know of an EO that is not yet signed onto the pay claim, please urge them to sign up without delay. You can also speak to your local office rep for more information.

Complete the equal pay form

Protecting Public Services, our jobs, terms and conditions – a national campaign has been launched

The PCS National Executive Committee (NEC), meeting from 13-15 July has launched a new national campaign in defence of jobs, pay, pensions, and civil and public services.

PCS will be approaching all other trade unions to take action together to stop the Con-Dem coalition’s attacks on public services and public sector workers.

The Government is employing the political equivalent of shock and awe tactics. In doing so they are trying to frighten people into accepting that the cuts are necessary and there is nothing that can be done to avoid them. However, this is not the case. It is up to us to show that there are alternatives.

Our campaign will promote the positive alternative to cuts: tax justice and investment in public services to deal with the national deficit.

Every year, £70 billion is lost to our economy through tax evasion, and a further £25 billion through avoidance by large companies and wealthy individuals. That must end. Investment in public services would also help to pull our economy out of recession. Creating jobs would boost employment and tax revenue.

We should create a million “climate” jobs through investment in renewable energy, high speed rail links and by building new homes for the 1.8 million families on council house waiting lists.

We must start campaigning now. Some offices and departments do not have months to wait. We know that many members are threatened with job cuts now, including in

- Government Offices
- HM Courts Service
- Jobcentre Plus
- Food Standards Agency
- BECTA, GCDA and the GTC

The Con-Dem coalition has no democratic legitimacy, and the fact is that many of the Lib-Dem MPs elected actively campaigned against the cuts that are being implemented now. As with the previous attacks on the Compensation Scheme, an early day motion has been drafted (EDM301). We would urge you to contact your MP and ask that they add their name to the list of more than 100 MPs who have already signed this motion.For more details, please contact your local PCS rep or complete the e-action and e-mail your MP directly.

PCS wants to stress to all of it’s members that the cuts are not inevitable and they can be avoidable. Members should remember that we have previously defeated attacks on our jobs, pensions and pay before. We did this by stand firm and showing a united front. In recent years we have:

  • protected the final salary pension scheme and the right of existing staff to retire at 60
     
  • achieved a protocol with the Government on avoiding compulsory redundancies
     
  • stopped many proposed privatisations, and the proposals to remove paid sick leave.

Further meetings will take place in the coming weeks to finalise details of both national and local campaigns, we will keep you informed of developments as soon as they take place. However, there is still much you can do now.

PCS asks every member to:

  • Ask your MP to sign EDM 301 ‘Civil Service Compensation Scheme’
     
  • Keep up to date with information on proposed cuts and campaign developments that is available on the PCS website
     
  • Recruit your colleagues to the union – there’s never been a more important time to join.

Cuts to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme could once again be illegal

The new Government’s plans to cut civil service redundancy terms could be challenged in Parliament and the courts, PCS warns

Members should remember that the High Court ruled in favour of PCS not once but twice, when the union stood up to proposals submitted by the previous Government. The High Court Judges ruled that the Government had acted unlawfully by trying to cut redundancy terms without the Union’s agreement.

The new Government unilaterally announced on July 6th that, although we had won our court battle, they intended to bring forward changes to the scheme this time by introducing primary legislation. A ‘money bill’ was laid before Parliament on July 15th. If this bill becomes law it will cap redundancy payments at a maximum of 12 months salary for compulsory redundancy and 15 months for voluntary redundancy. Early retirement and severance packages will be costed so as not to go over the cap, this will include any lump sum payments.

The changes are proposed to take place from October 2010, though this does depend on how quickly the legislation proceeds through Parliament.

PCS feels that the Cabinet Office’s claim that civil servants can receive six years pay on being made redundant is highly misleading, because this applies to virtually none of the existing workforce.

Nor is it accurate to say that the average payout is 3 years salary. Only staff with 20 years service would qualify for this, but the average length of service for AO members of staff – who make up 47% of the civil service is 7 years. The average length of service for EO staff rises to 14 years.

PCS will again be challenging the legality of the Government’s proposals, over both their possible misuse of parliamentary procedure, and possible contravention of human rights legislation.

PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka said: “ Our advice suggests that the Government might be repeating the mistakes of the previous administration in acting outside the law, simply to make it easier and cheaper to cut tens of thousands of jobs.”

“We fundamentally reject the need for these cuts and, as well as challenging them in Parliament and the courts if necessary, we will pursue every avenue to oppose them across the UK.”

Our position has not changed since the first set of proposals. PCS wants to negotiate a fair set of changes to the compensation scheme for new entrants, whilst at the same time protecting the terms and conditions of existing members of staff.

Your chance to have your say

The DfT Group has launched its annual bargaining survey for members. This is your opportunity to tell us your ideas and priorities for our negotiations over the coming year. If you missed your copy, there are three further ways you can take part:

1) If you are viewing this electronically, follow this link to Survey Monkey and complete the survey online; or

2) Again, if you are viewing this electronically download and print this Word version DfT group bargaining survey 2010; or

3) Visit the PCS website www.pcs.org.uk and complete the survey, which is located in the Department For Transport section.

Please return any completed surveys to Maureen Fevrier, PCS, 160 Falcon Road, London SW11 2LN.

Editor – Berewyn Long
Please send comments, suggestions or articles for future issues to:  Section News, PCS, Bournemouth AEC