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Progress Magazine

Progress is the group magazine for members in the Land Registry.

Please send your letters and emails to:

Emily Kelly, Fylde Land Registry, union room, Wrea Brook Court, Lytham Road, Warton PR4 1TE or email emily.kelly@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk

Editor's column - Emily Kelly

This edition of progress is dedicated to stories of the very real effects the Accelerated Transformation Plan (ATP) is having on members lives across the Land Registry (LR); a reminder of the actual human cost and total devastation that this ill-conceived programme of change is causing staff.

From victimised union representatives to members targeted with redundancy and office closure these stories are a true reflection of how the LR now treats their employees. We all know we are no longer the jewel in the queen’s crown, in fact someone should tell her that gem fell out some time ago.

It’s clear from the support shown by local constituent MPs, parliamentary  MPs, the media and known public figures and even ex LR board members that the ATP proposals are not seen as a way of improving LR customer service more a means of refreshing a tired, supposedly expensive workforce
with fresh cheap, impressionable blood. Although the fresh blood doesn’t come cheap when replacing the top dogs, in fact they come at an extreme cost to the public purse, because they’re worth it?

Double standards run right through the new proposals, get rid of old staff then recruit new staff, make office space efficiencies but only in the southwest offices, relocate to other government buildings which are under the same efficiency savings programme as our own, spend outrageous amounts of money on private consultants to draw up plans that talk about cost savings being essential. It makes you wonder if the ATP was drawn up on the back of a fag packet.

You will have all received ex chief executive, John Manthorpe’s, vision of the future, a far more reasoned approach to streamlining the Registry. We can only wonder who helped him produce this up to date paper on the state of the LR, although it might explain why some have already deserted the good ship Registry. Richard Murphy, PCS group representative based at our Birkenhead office writes on page 4 of the current position on our fight back campaign and why it’s important to use the power of your vote in the ballots on ATP and the civil service compensation scheme.

Justice for Jane

My name is Jane Brooke and I have worked at the Weymouth Land Registry (LR) and been a member of the union for 31 years. I joined the local union committee (BEC) as an ordinary member and then as a health and safety representative in 2004. In 2005 I took on the role as branch assistant secretary, I was also then elected to the group health and safety committee and equal opportunities committee. In November 2009 I became the PCS secretary of the Weymouth branch.

Back in April 2003 I developed a pain in my right wrist as a consequence of working with digital mapping systems, in particular logging
map details using a mouse for prolonged periods. Over a period of time the pain subsequently radiated to my  right shoulder and neck.

In 2004 I was referred to AXA and the Department of Work and Pensions for an assessment of my injuries. At this time I also submitted a personal injury claim. Further Health Management assessments took place right up until the end of 2007.

In 2004/2005 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) produced a report based on findings from the Weymouth LR that stated that the office was noncompliant with DSE regulations. It was then that relationships broke down between local management and the union as the former refused to accept these findings.

Subsequently I found out that LR had commissioned the company Quantum Surveillance to spy on myself and other Weymouth LR employees who had submitted similar personal injury claims. This was a direct infringement of our civil liberties.

In February 2009 I was singled out for disciplinary procedures on the grounds that I had allegedly made a fraudulent claim. I presented evidence that vigorously fought this claim while LR defence relied on unfounded allegations and innuendo.

On 23 November 2009 I was dismissed from work on the basis that the disciplinary procedure had ruled that I was guilty.

It’s difficult not to conclude that the LR’s behavior is a direct attack on PCS, as the other 6 accused weren’t disciplined or found guilty and they have now resumed normal work duties.

On a personal level, I feel I have been singled out and treated unjustly. I was denied a fair hearing and it’s obvious that LR were only ever going to take one course, my dismissal.

It is important that lessons are learnt from this event, it is imperative that union members stand together in the face of this blatant anti-union discrimination. If LR are not challenged in their treatment towards its employees, what can we all expect?

 

ATP and CSCS

Richard Murphy gives an update on ATP and CSCS

At the time of writing this article the consultation period that PCS (and others) have been engaged in is coming to an end. Opposition to the proposals has been growing by the week and PCS have rightly challenged management’s belief that there is no alternative.

In the Birkenhead office we have met 4 local politicians who have been supportive and this is fantastically replicated across the country. The culmination of that effort was an amazing lobby of parliament on the 20th January. It was incredibly heartening to see so many reps using their own time to attend but also members like you, who wanted to go and tell their MP that they have had enough, that they want a public service ethos in the Land Registry and most importantly they don’t want to see their jobs or that of colleagues go under a transformation programme.

Members also forced home issues about recent board resignations, the proposed move to outsource areas of our work instead of market test and the continued aggressive approach towards admin grade members.

Once the lobbying had finished it was straight on to a packed room in the House of Commons for the official presentation of the Alternative Vision (AV).

I finally managed to get in around the time John McDonnell MP (Chair of the PCS Parliamentary group) was detailing how the LR isn’t alone in its battle to save jobs and conditions but it is right at the front of the attack in terms of the timing. Michael Kavanagh and Liz Evans from the Group matched his passion detailing how far the campaign has come while explaining some of the arguments PCS has put into its submission. The meeting finished with speeches from Roger Seifert who has codrafted the AV and Chris Baugh who both talked about the public service ethos and how efficiency is measured in the public sector.

Personally for me, witnessing the democracy in action of ordinary PCS members impassioned and lobbying in the House of the Commons added to the success of the day, it was an overwhelming, inspirational and quite frankly pretty humbling sight.

As if the ATP proposals weren’t enough, we also have the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) proposals looming on the horizon. The detrimental effects these proposed plans will have on our future decisions highlights the complex and difficult times we are in. Whilst talks are ongoing and progress has been made, it isn’t significant enough and it’s becoming more and more likely that a ballot for industrial action on both the CSCS and ATP proposals are imminent.

I would urge everyone to read all the information, support the campaign and more importantly to use the power of your vote. Both issues command the same attention and we must stand together united against these illogical and damaging proposals.

President’s piece

Michael Kavanagh

As I write this, we are drawing towards the conclusion of the ATP consultations and entering into, what is without doubt, the most critical period in Land Registry’s 150 year history.

From a personal point of view, I do not think that I have had a full night’s sleep for the past six months. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night, having dreamt about the consequences of the proposals! I would, however, like to thank colleagues for the work they have put in to formulating our response to the ATP proposals. In this, I include all members who have contributed thus far and our lawyer colleagues from the FDA union. A truly fantastic and united effort.

What our response will deliver is, of course, unknown at this stage. What I can say is that I think we have totally exposed the rationale behind the proposals as utterly flawed and inconsistent with a world class public service of the 21st century. It is also telling that the proposals have led to our former Chief Land Registrar, John Manthorpe, lodging his own submission. We have now copied this to all members. Mr Manthorpe’s submission is a far cry from the industrial vandalism, proposed by the ATP Board and demonstrates his continuing commitment to public service, as opposed to the Board’s failed business ethos. It is also clear (and very telling) that Mr Manthorpe has had assistance from existing senior members of staff.

When you add all of this to the announcements about the timing of Peter Collis’ and Andy Howarth’s departures, it is obvious that all is not well at the top of the organisation. I have received a large amount of anonymous information from senior members of staff. Whilst this is all extremely useful, we need to start exposing this disaffection publically. I personally guarantee complete protection, on behalf of PCS, to anyone coming forward and doing/saying the right thing.

My colleagues and I care passionately about Land Registry and its staff and we must do all we can to prevent the current leadership from causing irreparable damage to it.

Our response to ATP is relevant and robust but we must also be ready to take industrial action to protect our vital public service and our futures.

All the best!

Office closures

So, what’s it like being at a closing office? Linda Cartwright writes

York Office officially opened as a Land Registry in October 1992 with many transferring from other Offices to what was sold as a new office with a great future/opportunities. Even the prospects of HO Divisions moving to York were rumoured. How differently it all turned out!

In 2006, we were all called together and informed that for estate reasons, the closure of the York Office was being proposed. Nothing can prepare you for this news. People emotionally reacted with a mixture of anger, shock and sadness. A year of ‘not knowing’ passed before May 2007 when we were finally informed of our formal closure.

The closure has affected people in different ways with life-changing decisions to be made. For some, closure has allowed them to move on and given them the financial backing to do what they have always wanted to do. Many however, would have stayed until retirement age and would never even had envisaged any of this before 2006. Some of our affected staff have said that the move to York was the worse decision they had ever made.

The crunch came last year on the 15th May when representations from Head Office had instilled such fear into everyone about potential losses should changes to the CSCS be imposed, staff became so stressed that one person left that very day (after 17 years service). Others signed up to go within weeks, and subsequently there followed a mass exodus throughout the summer. Varying degrees of risk were mentioned, from signing up straight away (no risk) to signing up and accepting a 9-month voluntary period of notice under the current scheme (to February 2010). Not to sign up was taking the full risk of any new CSCS terms being imposed. February therefore, sees more people leaving including the remainder of our Facilities and IT support team. Despite the information being fed out prematurely (as we all now know), people have not been allowed to defer their leaving dates. This has been challenged, but to no avail.

March will see York with around 23 staff left - some are to transfer, the rest signed up to the ‘bitter end’. Morale is at an all-time low. We work in a 3-storey building where the majority of space is empty with ‘off limit’ signs in place. We are condensed to one small area on the 1st floor where everyone now sits. Remaining staff query our feasibility given the overheads and general utility costs of maintaining the building for so few.

Whether the end remains September or not, we will see. Goodbye has been said to so many of our friends and colleagues that we no longer have presentations, only a card and perhaps cakes.

Office mergers

Story from a merged office by Nick Dodds

My LR story started in 2003 when I joined on promotion from another government department. My first day in the office was fantastic, I really felt as if I were joining a great organisation. I was full of hope and optimism about my chances of a good career and the prospects for promotion. I remember meeting my district team leader and asking what would happen when all the land in the country was registered, he said “there will always be plenty of work to be done as there will always be a property market”, he of course left LR in 2007.

As time moved on, the registry began to change, and not for the better. Or was it just the ‘honeymoon period’ wearing off? Slowly the ethos changed from quality to quantity, speed instead of surety. Promotions went to those who said ‘yes’ or took the agency line regardless of how ridiculous it was, or those who could give examples of things they had never done to ‘demonstrate’ competencies they could never achieve outside the interview room.

Even through all this though it was ok, I had a secure, steady job. Even if I don’t get on I told myself, the money is ok and I could do a lot worse.

The market was booming and overtime was on every weekend, the good times would never end! But of course they did, just like every other boom has always ended in a bust. I, like everyone else presumed the board had a contingency plan for the decline in the market, as they of all of us were in the best position to see such things.

Even through all this though it was ok, I had a secure, steady job. Even if I don’t get on I told myself, the money had been ok with the overtime, and I could do a lot worse.

The board merged some offices that were close to each other, and some people got to leave with very nice packages. I moved to the office down the road, all change yet still the same! It seemed like the board knew what they were doing. Even through all this though it was ok, I had a secure, steady job. Even if I don’t get on I told myself, the money is enough to get by on, and I could do a lot worse.

Then the board announced their grand plan that would save us all! They would sack 1500 skilled people and sell off buildings they had spent a fortune turning into edifices of corporate aspiration. Luckily my office wasn’t on the first ‘hit list’, but I think it was on the ‘b’ list.

All this is not ok. I no longer have a secure, steady job. I have no prospect of getting on or getting out, the money is nowhere near enough.

Outsourcing

Mark Kelly on the outsourcing

Several aspects of the ATP directly affect Information Services (IS), within which members also work in Internal Audit, HR and Facilities. As a result the ATP announcement was never going to be simple to decipher. The IS trade union side saw a preview, which gave us the opportunity to hear the reoccurring ‘no market testing’ excuse. In addition, despite being told that the announcement was unlikely to deviate from the script, there was little choice when it became apparent that no one knew who or what ‘Desktop Management’ was referring to. One member from National Telecoms learned their fate after they asked if their team fell under these measures.

The teams now facing outsourcing spent their time being reassured by senior management that everything was going to be all right. The rumour mill during this time spread myths about how many people the new suppliers would need and how complicated TUPE was likely to be. Meanwhile the union fielded questions about the compensation scheme and out union learning rep provided advice about career alternatives.

The ‘Desktop Management’ team set about coming up with their own business case, proving cost-savings and value for money was achievable without job cuts.

The LTUS met local journalists and MPs who were interested in PCS’ Alternative Vision and were concerned about potential job losses from Plymouth and its impact on the staff and the local area. Along with the problems posed by the prospective merger of Plymouth and IS, is the fear within IS of outsourcing of Desktop Management; if successful what will follow this process, and more importantly what will remain?

In memory of Michael Andrews

PCS reps and members were devastated to hear the news that Michael Andrews, a PCS rep at Durham Land Registry, died on 18 January 2010 aged 45.

Michael took on a great many personal cases for members and was an active health and safety representative, serving on both the branch and departmental health and safety committees.

Sadly, he hadn’t worked at Land Registry long before the brain tumour that he was to fight for the remainder of his life revealed itself. Michael had to undergo many operations and treatments such as chemotherapy, but he undertook it all with such incredible fortitude cheerfulness and determination that he became an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

During 2009 he accepted medical retirement, but the progressive nature of his condition had by then affected his mobility and quality of life. He underwent more operations, and finally returned to St. Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham. As well as his wife Debbie (also a PCS rep), Michael leaves a daughter, Emma, and a stepson, Chris. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.

Speaking out . . .

Gill Crennell-Jones

When the ATP announcements were made, with relief we noted our office was not targeted for closure. However shockingly, more closures were to come and IT and Facilities were being outsourced. Finally, surprise; let’s get rid of as many RAs and ROs as possible. Most RAs and ROs have spent years going out of their way to make sure the job gets done well and on time.

I have worked for LR for over twenty years and can say that I love my job. Now years of dedicated work, blood, sweat and at times tears, mean nothing. There is an old saying ‘I have forgotten more than you will ever learn’. Instead of harnessing the expertise of these grades we are being put out to pasture.

It seems clear Management are trying to lower staffing levels, blaming the economy so that when the market turns they can recruit staff on worse terms and conditions. Management state that they need district teams to be adaptable, they already had this before they excluded RAs and ROs. It also seems clear that Management are playing the government game of ‘let’s cut public servants jobs’.

The Board are sitting comfortably with their huge pay packets, whilst lower grades with such a lot to give are being thrown daily onto the scrapheap.

My only option is to apply for promotion and hope that our office does not fall victim to the Board’s next hatchet job.

Julie Newman-Vidler

I am a Registration Officer (RO) at Rosebrae Court Birkenhead, one of the grades directly affected by the threat of redundancy from the ATP. The news was no surprise, as over the past 18 months we have been removed from casework and our work systematically given to the next grade up (although not re-graded). According to the ATP the Data Integrity work that many of us do will end “soon and abruptly”. Despite claims of little remaining work, by current statistics there is work to last us until March 2013. This is deceitful, as there is still valuable work for admin grades. What I find really dishonest is that the policy came about before the ATP, indeed it appears to be written to justify actions already decided.

It is an upsetting and difficult time seeing hardworking staff treated so dismissively. Thankfully support from those around me has shown that admin grades are not alone, the local PCS campaign team have offered advice, encouragement, support and an overwhelming feeling of solidarity, which makes me believe we can make a difference to the decision.

Disability discrimination

Richard Murray reports on discrimination under the proposals

I have worked in Land Registry for 24 years the first 17 under sheltered placement with Scope. The ATP was launched in October and this is a summary of how I think it will affect people with disabilities.

The ATP seems to be an attack on middle-aged people and people with disabilities as of the 6.1% of staff who have disabilities 36.1% of them work in the RA/RO grade alone.

Of these the former sheltered placement people will be worst effected as they will only have the last 7 years recognised for redundancy payments even though the Registry was paying up to 80% of our wages up to that point and every other employee was having 1.5% of their salary paid into the pension scheme which was never done for sheltered placement people some have worked in the Registry for 25 years and more especially as there are plans to reduce the maximum payments from 3 yrs pay to 2. I will only receive around 33% of my last offer under the new arrangements. Below are some of the low compensation quotes to ex sheltered placement staff during the Land Registry RA/RO exit packages of 2009.

Actual figures equate to:

  • Voluntary Redundancy for LR employees approx - £18,000. VoluntaryPhotos for Ex sheltered placement approx £4000
  • Compulsory Redundancy for LR employees approx - £55,000. Compulsory for Ex sheltered placement approx £22,000

These figures are based on staff who would be entitled to maximum payouts under the CSCS if all service had been counted (Which at Durham is both the affected staff). In the Land Registry the latest figures were that approx 25 staff could be affected by this alone.

For many disabled people day to day life is more expensive than able bodied people, but also Land Registry is not just a job it is a way of life. It is their reason to get up in the morning, to go out, their only hot meal of the day (that is before loss of the canteen facilities) and their social life.

Most of them have equipment bought for them by the Land Registry such as wheelchairs, cars, hand controls, which they will lose if they are made redundant.

The likelihood of these people getting a job is a lot less than for able bodied people as no matter how many reasonable adjustment are put in place disabled people are not able to do as many job in the jobcentres as their able bodied counterparts.

Our HR has recently had one to one meetings with the former sheltered placement people telling them that they had days to make up their minds up to go or not, then their current offers would be removed.

Reduce, re-use and recycle

Elizabeth Dixon reports from Peterborough office – earmarked for closure by the ATP proposals

Interestingly management have taken green issues to heart by applying the ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ message. But Peterborough branch doesn’t think you can compare waste paper, energy usage and eco footprints to people. We are with the rest of the PCS; campaigning to maintain a good public service, sustain a regional presence and retain our jobs and conditions of employment.

How often do you apply green credentials to the clothes on your back? ‘Reduce, re-use, recycle’ applies as much to what you wear as the rest of your lifestyle. I don’t need to buy another pair of shoes or item of clothing ever. The only things in my wardrobe that wear out are running shoes – and that’s just their soles. Otherwise I’ve enough to keep me going for the next 40 years unless my body shape changes. What is it with the modern day that we all ‘need’ so many clothes, but then can never find anything to wear.

I wonder how massive the impact if we all (and I’m not just talking about the sisterhood here) stopped buying clothes and shoes and re-visited our own wardrobes and made do, scary thought!

At least you can allay your conscience when you go shopping. I wouldn’t personally shop at some places because of their ethical policies (sweat shops still exist all over the world and in the UK). But other brands pride themselves on ethical trading standards and are proud to boast of how their fleeces are made of re-cycled drink bottles.

Don’t be a victim to fashion and passing trends; think about the raw ingredients, consider buying clothes with a Fairtrade label as this isn’t exclusively attached to chocolate. Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers and farm workers in developing countries to invest in their communities by guaranteeing a fair and stable price and investment in community development projects. At least one national chain store has an expanding range of Fairtrade clothing. They also work closely with Oxfam in a clothes, and now soft furnishings exchange, which has already raised a staggering £2.5m.

We all need to cherish our resources and send less to land fill, so if it’s not worn out perhaps someone else can find a use for it. De-clutter your wardrobe as part of a New Year resolution, think carefully when you shop next and think twice about saving your pennies; and the planet!

Two thoughts to leave you with:

  • Currently confectionery and crisp packaging can’t be recycled anywhere in the UK. So don’t indulge and feel doubly virtuous!
  • If you’re leaving a room for more than five seconds switch off the light bulb, even energy saving bulbs, as the power surge in starting them is equivalent to just a few seconds’ worth of normal electricity use.

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