Public and Commercial Services Union

The 2008 pay claim was submitted to the Ministry of Justice in early June seeking a cost of living increase for all members which will match inflation; however as we enter August, no talks have yet taken place. This does not mean that the 2008 pay increases will be delayed (those who have opted into the Deal will get increases in August) but it does mean that pay in the MoJ will fall further behind the cost of living.

Inflation

Inflation is rising every month (RPI is now 4.6%) however MoJ band maxima and target maxima will only rise by 2% or less in August 2008. While some staff will get more than 2%, this is because have not reached the band maxima (Bands E-F) or the target maxima (bands A-D). A large proportion of members will only receive a pay increase of 2% or less unless the Ministry of Justice sits down to serious negotiations with the unions.

Fighting government policy

Any pay talks in the Ministry of Justice will only really be successful if PCS is successful in forcing the government to change its pay policy. Government policy, which has meant a maximum of 2% cost of living increases across the civil service, has been applied particularly unfairly in the civil service as progression to the top of the pay scales is calculated differently than in other public sector organisations. This difference has recently led to lower cost of living increases in the civil service than elsewhere.

The current government policy will reduce the real value of pay and the long term value of pensions.  We believe that we cannot sit back and let the government get away with imposing years of real term pay cuts. PCS intends to fight government policy and will ballot all PCS members across the public sector (including those in the MoJ) for strike action in the autumn, if the Government does not change tack.