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MDPGA newsletter No 1 PR09 is now knocking on my door

On 3 August 2009, our members in the guard service experienced the full might of the department when all overtime working was stopped, a recruitment ban was imposed and all gapped posts where removed as part of the 4% saving plan for PR09.

In response, our union called a meeting with guards from all around the country to discuss how the current issues were affecting them and their families.

The issues ranged from the recruitment ban, 48 hours notice of shift moves, roster changes, toil/leave issues and draconian management styles with guards up and down the country feeling intimidated and on some occasions being threatened with disciplinary action if they refused to move between establishments. It would seem that some establishments are trying to paper over the cracks rather than allowing the task to fall, or for the customer to find additional funding to allow for shortfalls to be covered by overtime.

It would appear that the guard service is under going review after review, e.g. the CSO2 review, CSO4 review, alternative roster trial and roster review, flexible rostering agreement, and now PR09.

The fightback starts here

The only way of fighting back is if we all stand united and back our union to the full.

We would ask that you put all PCS newsletters on notice boards; speak to all members of staff (as this also affects non uniformed members of the agency); seek to recruit non-members by pointing out the current position and explain that we can get through this if we stand shoulder to shoulder and face the coming storm head on.

PCS will keep all members updated as we develop our campaign of opposition to the proposals.

We intend to call a further meeting in London later this month to develop our campaign, to which MGS reps from all PCS branches will be invited.
The only way to fight-back against these proposals; to protect our living standards, jobs and futures is to be a member of your union.

Please pass this newsletter to any colleagues who are not yet a trade union member and ask them to join us for the fight ahead.

 

 


PCS campaign objectives

The PCS reps meeting agreed to take the following actions:

1. To write to MDPGA management making it clear that the imposed PR09 changes are unacceptable to our members and our union. We are angry that these changes were imposed without discussion with us and before consultation on PR 09 commenced! The letter has been submitted and highlights particular concerns about:

  • The overtime ban
  • The recruitment ban and posts that have not been filled
  • The lack of 48 hours notice for shift roster changes
  • Issues about missed meal breaks or gates having to be closed to allow meal breaks
  • Guards being forced to travel significant distances to cover work and vacancies arising from the savings measures
  • Issues with guards being able to take TOIL and annual leave
  • A wider concern about what these proposals mean for the future of the guard service in MoD.

2. That PCS will seek urgent talks with the management side to seek alternative ways to achieve savings. We acknowledge that the guard service is subject to the same arbitrary cuts as the rest of MoD - however we believe that there other ways to achieve these savings that must be explored.

3. Should management refuse to talk to us – or should the talks fail to secure a more sensible way forward – then PCS will immediately commence an indicative ballot of all members in the guard service asking if members are prepared to take action short of a strike and/or strike action in response.

4. We will approach other unions and ask them to support our position and to ballot their members for action with us to ensure that ALL guards are standing together.

5. To set up a campaign team to keep all PCS members in the guard service up to date with all issues for guards in MoD.

6. To re-convene a meeting of all reps in the MGS in September to report back on progress.

7. To ask every guard to join the union that has pay negotiating rights for the MGS – PCS. Every member is asked to help us build a strong, united guard service in MoD. We are the only union with negotiating rights for the issues that matter within the guard service and for the grades that make up the guard service in the MOD. We are the largest and fastest growing union in MoD and the wider civil service.

We will issue further circulars and  further newsletters for the MGS shortly.

Please be assured that PCS will continue to work to defend your job and to protect your terms and conditions.

In the last 5 years PCS has led the way in the MGS. We have fought and won the battle to defend our pensions and the right to retire at 60; we have fought off attempts to attack our right to paid sick leave; we have led the way in the fight against job cuts and privatisation and we forced the government back to the negotiating table on pay for the first time in 20 years. We also led the campaign to defend FRA and SDA – including calling the first industrial action ballot in the MGS for many years. We will continue to defend our hard won terms and conditions.

There are now new threats to us – together we can respond effectively and meet these threats head on.

 


Our campaign

Since our meeting on the 27 August we have set up a campaign committee, which has been tasked with looking at campaigning on guard service issues.

As a member of PCS will have an important part to play in this and we will seek your views and any input you might wish to contribute.

We intend to communicate with members on a weekly basis so we want to hear your views on the current issues.

We are also going to run a recruitment campaign, with your help and assistance. It is vital that you, as a member, speak face-to-face with colleagues at your workplace. We will also gather materials for a media campaign.

MDPGA management have unfortunately rejected our request to discuss alternative means of meeting their PR09 cuts and so our union will commence an indicative ballot for possible industrial action.

Contact details for our campaign are below.

PCS campaign team contacts

Steve Robinson
PCS Assistant Group Secretary
Tel: 030 679 30355
E-mail: DESHROps-PCS-AGS@mod.uk

John Lyons
Regional Liaison Officer
Tel: 07899 094394
E-mail: johnlyons1@btinternet.com

Calum Campbell
Regional Liaison Officer
Tel: 0141 224 2583
07876 137827
tupcsbrep1.civsec@apc.army.mod.uk

Sean Sweeney
Tel: 01436 674321
sweeneysean54@yahoo.com

Bob Goodswen
Tel: 0207 2180608
E-mail: rjgoods@supanet.com

Phil Rowe
Tel: 0207 7011522
E-mail: cablerowe@yahoo.co.uk


 

 

 

 

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