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Home Office group

PCS Home Office group is the section of your trade union that deals with issues specifically affecting members in the Home Office, including the Border and Immigration Agency.

Latest news:

30 November strike – Guidance for shift workers

This briefing is to provide clarity on the position of shift workers. Any member working shifts should take action on the following basis:

30 November 2011 strike – Guidance for overseas workers

PCS members have been called upon to join millions of their fellow workers in a strike on 30 November 2011 in defence of their jobs, pensions and pay. We will continue to engage with the government to seek a negotiated settlement, but as they do not appear willing to move on the major issues, we expect the industrial action to go ahead.

All out on the 30th November: Strike for our futures!

On 30 June 2011, PCS members took strike action alongside our fellow Trade Unionists in the education unions ATL, NUT and UCU, in defence of our jobs, pensions and pay. The strike was a massive success, with magnificent turnouts on picket lines, marches and rallies across the country. As a result of the action, the government’s arguments on public sector pensions crumbled under the media spotlight, and their claim that public sector pensions were unaffordable was destroyed.

30 November 2011 PCS welcomes ISU members on Board

Background
In previous members’ briefings, PCS welcomed the decision of the Immigration Service Union (ISU) to ballot its members for industrial action on 30 November 2011. PCS recognises the need for maximum unity among workers at this time of attack from the government, and we welcome on board any group of workers who will stand with us and our fellow TUC affiliated unions.

Our response to UKBA offering IPS staff work on 30 November

It has come to the attention of PCS reps that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is offering Identity and Passport Service (IPS) members of staff the ‘opportunity’ to work for UKBA at ports and airports on 30 November. We urge anyone approached in such a manner to refuse to work for UKBA. PCS members in IPS were solid in support of the 30 June strike. We need to remain solid on 30 November.

UKBA crisis – PCS calls on members to assist

Background
HO/MB/128 & 129/11 detailed the crisis enveloping UKBA and the PCS response. PCS immediately issued numerous bulletins and press releases calling for a wide ranging inquiry into the management of the agency.

Government pensions offer – the truth

Earlier in November the government announced revised proposals on changes to public sector pensions. This followed months of ‘negotiations’ in which the government had insisted that they would not be moved on their plans – a position which seems to have softened following the threat of mass industrial action on 30 November.

Critical incident planning: Undermining PCS / undermining the border

PCS are calling upon all members to refuse to undertake the critical incident primary control cover as part of the departments critical incident planning process on 30 November. These “contingency plans” in the event of a major incident are merely a veneer to its true objective of acting as a strike busting force, designed to circumvent the will of PCS members who are choosing to support the democratic decision of the union to take industrial action.

Sacked passport staff to be replaced -support the 14!

In March 2011, IPS chose to terminate fourteen members of staff based in Liverpool. These members were hired under a ‘Friends and family’ recruitment drive, which saw them interviewed under fair and open competition. They were given permanent contracts (as advertised). Upon sacking our members, IPS insisted their contracts were ‘illegal’ and should never have been awarded. Some were then given temporary contracts; others were escorted off the premises – all within two hours notice.

PCS home office facebook group

PCS home office group has created a new facebook page which will be updated regularly with campaign activity, news and information regarding industrial action that may otherwise be difficult to convey.

The account will also allow members to debate and post topics of interest and can also be used by reps and activists to share information with one another.

Lobbying for a secure future final details for the 23rd November

This should now be well under way, and you should have spoken to every member regarding the importance of the lobby in terms of raising the visibility of the issues affecting members within the home sector and in showing the strength of support for the campaign to secure our members’ and our countries future.

Staff survey

• PCS respond to the Department following deadline extension
• The real staff survey to be launched
• Meanwhile, in International Group…

Following the boycott of the staff survey in the Home Office, UKBA and IPS announced in a previous briefing (HO/MB/106/11), it seems that we can look forward to more departmental communiqués on the 2011 Staff Survey for at least another week.

Boycott the staff survey in Home Office, UKBA and IPS

Following the meeting on the 27th September of the Group Executive Committee, PCS is advising its members in the Home Office, UK Border Agency and Identity & Passport Service not to complete the 2011 Staff Survey. This follows recent allegations relating to the use of staff responses and concerns over the integrity of the survey. Following the receipt of appropriate assurances from management within CRB, members in CRB are not being asked to boycott the survey.

Young workers week 2011 and Jarrow march

Young workers week runs from 2-9 October 2011. The theme is youth against cuts which ties in with the national campaign as endorsed by the NEC. Young workers week is key to raising awareness of issues and the national union campaigns amongst young members and encourages activity amongst young members.

Identity and passport service pay 2011

A previous briefing (HO/MB/88/11) advised members of the start of negotiations over this year’s pay round, against the backdrop of the second year of the Government’s two year pay freeze. Having submitted a claim that covered all members working within the Home Office, (HQ, including GEO, UKBA, CRB and IPS) the pay negotiators sought discussions that would encompass the Home Office Group membership.

PCS General Secretary calls on ISU to declare their position for 30 November 2011 industrial action

HO/MB/98/11 gave details of the members of the Trades Union Congress who declared for action against the government’s onslaught on ordinary workers, including alongside PCS, ATL, FBU, FDA, GMB, IES, NASUWT, NIPSA, NUT, PROSPECT, UCU, UNISON, UNITE. This represents millions of workers who will stand united in defence of their livelihoods. PCS is proud to stand among them and proud to have led the way. This united campaign by the TUC Unions will begin with a day of action on 30 November 2011.

30 November 2011 – TUC day of action – organising to win

A previous briefing (HO/MB/98/11) gave details of the members of the Trades Union Congress who declared for action against the government’s onslaught on ordinary workers, including alongside PCS, ATL, FBU, FDA, GMB, IES, NASUWT, NIPSA, NUT, PROSPECT, UCU, UNISON, UNITE. This represents millions of workers who will stand united in defence of their livelihoods. PCS is proud to stand among them and proud to have led the way.

 

 

Home Office cuts and victimisation campaign

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