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Guard service alternative roster trial

As many of you will be aware the MDPGA introduce an alternative roster trial (ART) at the beginning of 2009, this was to be trialled at four sites Abbeywood, Blandford Bovington and Devonport. Prior to the trial commencing there was a break down in industrial relations due to the MDPGA management being unwilling to listen to the reasonable requests put forward by our union.

This resulted in the setting up of the tiger team meetings. Resulting from these meetings PCS won many concessions, one of which was that no guard involved in the trial would suffer a financial detriment and even though the flexible shifts were being removed all would retain their 4% flexi allowance.

It would now appear that the MDPGA in their usual cavalier fashion have issued a letter to all members of staff involved in the ART informing them that the 4% flexi allowance will be replaced with a special continuity payment lasting up to one year with those not qualifying for the full year being notified separately.

None of the trade unions had been informed that this letter was to be sent to MGS members let alone being consulted, and we would have to make the assumption that the agency has already decided that the ART has been a success, even though we have yet to be provided with the data and how it was analysed.

Once we have received the ART data and have carried out our own analysis, we would then expect to meet with management to discuss the findings.

Should the MDPGA deem the ART is a success, we will then enter in to a period of formal consultation. Our union will ensure the membership is fully involved.

We will be writing to the MDPGA management to strongly express our disappointment about the way they have once again broken agreements and arbitrarily attempted to force a determent on our members.

PCS has always been of the understanding, that should the ART be deemed a success and become permanent, then and only then would the special continuity payment kick in - after the period of formal consultation had concluded - this is what was agreed at the tiger team meetings.

Any member of the guard service who is a PCS member and who has received such a letter dated 26 August 2009 should contact one of the points of contact listed below for further information and guidance.

The MOD guard service is going through a very rough period under PR09 would urge you to become more active in our union, whether that is as a representative or even a distributor; every little bit helps. Please speak to non-members and tell them how we can make a difference by being strong in the work place. Please keep notice boards up to date and make sure your voice is heard above all others.

On 28 September, we will once again be holding a guard service members meeting at PCS HQ and would encourage all branches to send along a member of the guard service so as the views of the members can be heard, and to help us build an organising strategy to face PR09 head on.


Points of Contact

John Lyons
07899 094394
johnlyons1@btinternet.com

Sean Sweeney
01436 674321 ext 3324
sweeneysean54@yahoo.com

Calum Campbell
0141 224 2583
07876 137827
tupcsbrep1.civsec@apc.army.mod.uk


Phil Rowe
0207 701 1522
cablerowe@yahoo.com

Bob Goodswen
02072 180608
rjgoods@supanet.com

Steve Robinson
030 679 30355
DESHROps-PCS-AGS@mod.uk
 

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