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DWP union news - weekly bulletin 25

17 June 2010

The latest news for members in DWP and CMEC

When PCS met ministers last week, they made it clear that as Flexible New Deal comes to an end any in house team staff will be brought back into DWP and given jobs. We began our meeting with Darra Singh, Jobcentre Plus Chief Executive by asking him to relay that assurance to his staff. We also made clear our belief that we are the most flexible and efficient provider of employment and benefit services, that recent private sector delivery has been poor and in - house team delivery excellent. Therefore it makes no sense to privatise further work. Instead, in - house teams should be used for the government’s new work programmes. He agreed to put our points back to Ministers.

Keep Jobcentre Plus Staff Levels up to keep delivering well

We argued that he should be ensuring that staffing levels in Jobcentre Plus were maintained in order to protect our ability to continue to deliver services well. Darra Singh said that because of the emergency budget next week he was not yet able to discuss the final position on staffing.

Extend all FTA contracts immediately

PCS argued that in the meantime all FTA staff should have their contracts extended by 3 months. This would be simple and straight forward, ensure that we retain the staff we need, improve morale during uncertain times and help to cover during the peak summer leave season and give us extra time to consider staffing. Unfortunately we did not get agreement on this point but Darra Singh has agreed to meet with us urgently after the emergency budget to review the position of staffing including the FTA staff.
He did though re state that all FTA staff due to finish before September working in CSD or CCD can be extended by 3 months and that consideration can be given to other staff too. If you are in this position seek urgent advice from your local PCS rep. We will continue to press for the staff we need and for all the FTA staff to be made permanent.

Campaigning for the staff we need as unemployment rises

In advance of the emergency budget PCS is campaigning against public sector cuts. In DWP we are campaigning specifically for “No staff cuts”. We have issued a circular to every branch asking all FTA staff to write to their MPs, we have produced leaflets on staffing and an e petition. Make sure you get involved in this campaign to keep the staff we all need. Join the campaign to protect jobs and services in DWP.
Together we will win

Darra agrees to pause TPIP and re-think

PCS argued hard that if savings have to be made then staffing is not the place to look – as staff help to make savings. We argued that TPIP should be cut – costing probably about £50 million. Darra Singh agreed to pause the project to discuss it with us and see if telephony services could not be delivered more cheaply and efficiently. We will be fully involved in these discussions. At the moment phase 3 and 4 will not be rolled out. PCS will be arguing that the telephony could be delivered without the need for TPIP.

Cut out real waste

PCS also argued against the use of consultants and SUMO. Darra was clear that no further money would be spent on consultants. PCS also raised the waste and duplication between the three arms of Jobcentre Plus. Darra Singh agreed that we may have a point and has invited PCS to submit proposals, which we most certainly will do.
 

Downloadable version:   DWP Union News - Weekly Bulletin 25

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