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Pay now

The problem

Each DfT agency and DfT(C) negotiate pay separately and as a result there are wide variations, at each grade, in pay rates across the department.

In light of the above the DfT group committee (the body with overall responsibility for the union in the department) decided we should try to have pay rates determined at the departmental level.

That is our aim.

Pay history

Earlier in 2007 we put the proposition to members in an indicative pay ballot as to whether we should have pay rates determined at the departmental level. The result was an overwhelming "Yes". Shortly after that vote we submitted a DfT-wide pay claim to senior managers.

We did face a tactical dilemma in light of the vote though: should we demand DfT-wide talks straight off or should we enter into pay talks at the agency/DfT(C) level; see what happens and then move to a departmental campaign. The union chose the latter.

So we slogged our way through the local talks in 2007. Where these did not deliver DfT rates of pay and pay increases worth at least inflation we asked members to reject them in pay ballots. This they did. We are now campaigning on a DfT wide basis.

We balloted members on industrial action over pay and other issues. Members voted "yes" to this proposal.

The first day of strike action was on the 29 February 2008 with further action taken on 24 April 2008.

Of course then came the national pay campaign in late 2008. Despite that national initiative we did not stop our work on the DfT campaign. With the dust settled on the PCS wide push on pay and the national agreement, the emphasis in 2009 switched back to the department.

In reality the key activity on the DfT pay front in 2009 was around the equal pay case in DVLA. We are pursuing a landmark equal pay case on behalf of EOs in DVLA. The union wants EOs to be paid the same as Driving Examiners and Senior Driving Examiners in DSA. These grades work jobs of the equal value to those of EOs in DVLA.

Through legal action we established the principle that a person in one of the DfT agencies can take an equal pay claim against another person in another DfT Agency.

Linked to this we have asked DfT to carry out a cross departmental equality check to ensure that all pay systems in the department are free of discrimination; be it on the grounds of sex, race, disability etc.

This they have refused even though the department is called a public authority in terms of equality duties. DfT argue that in reality these duties are on each individual agency not DfT. Therefore there will be no departmental checks.

This is a wholly incorrect interpretation of the law. The relevant legislation is clear that the duties are on DfT not the agencies. Of course DfT’s interpretation is very convenient as it means they do not have to take any action to address unequal pay or discrimination.

In the years 2009 to date there has been no real membership campaign around pay. That is something we have to address.

Now

Of course we have been caught up with the national civil service pay freeze. In theory in 2012 this should thaw out. That may allow us the opportunity to have an effective DFT wide campaign.