Public and Commercial Services Union

PCS has submitted its pay claim to the Ministry of Justice for 2008. The claim, which is based on the PCS national pay claim, calls for cost of living increases which ensure that pay can keep pace with inflation, increases to London weighting and significant increases for the lowest paid. The claim covers all MoJ staff (except those in the Prison Service), including those who have opted into the Deal, those who have not, and those on the terms of former employers such as the Home Office.

Inflation rising

Inflation is increasing at 4.1% and the MoJ intends to increase pay band maxima by 2% or less this year. The real value of the MoJ pay bands is reducing year on year and PCS is determined to fight this injustice.

MoJ paying 2% or less

The MoJ forced through the Deal last summer, giving individuals no option but to sign up to the Deal, or face a future without cost of living increases. However, in common with a number of other government departments, such as the DWP and the Home Office, PCS did not reach an agreement on the imposed multi-year pay increases contained within the MoJ Deal. Therefore members in the MoJ are in the same position as all other civil servants in 2008; fighting against imposed below inflation increases and in support of our pay claim.

Government policy

The policy of applying below inflation increases is government policy. So far teachers and lecturers have taken action over pay this year. PCS is committed to challenging this policy and members in the MoJ, some of the lowest paid in government, need to support this campaign.

Low pay in the MoJ

The MoJ Group is also committed to fight against, regional and performance pay and the inequality of pay within the MoJ; pay in the courts and tribunals lags behind pay in the prison service. We are continuing to negotiate with management on regional pay and a wide range of other problems through the review of the Deal.