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MGS PR09 savings measures update

PCS has been contacted by huge numbers of members working in the guard service regarding the above savings measures which have been imposed by management. This circular updates members of the current position and how our union proposes to respond.

Members who have contacted us have expressed real anger and concern about these changes and in particular:

  • The imposition of an overtime ban by the employer.
  • The impact of the overtime ban on members take home pay and also the fact that sites and gates are being closed on a routine basis.
  • The impact of the imposed recruitment ban across the MGS with gapped posts being cut.
  • The very real risk that members in the guard service face redundancy as a result of the imposed cuts programme.
  • Members being coerced into not taking meal breaks.
  • Members being prevented from taking annual leave by the employer.
  • Under garrison working arrangements members who are non-mobile are effectively being made mobile because of the employer requirement.
  • The failure to provide 48 hours notice before removal from fixed shifts.

All PCS members should be aware of the following facts:

  1. PCS was not consulted on these changes – if we were we would not have agreed them.
  2. PCS is opposed to the manner in which these proposals have been imposed on and communicated to our members. This is totally unacceptable.
  3. We believe that the imposed changes are poorly thought out and whilst we accept that savings must be made we believe that other options need to be considered.

PCS is in the process of responding to the belated consultation document that management have issued on these changes. This was issued to us AFTER the changes had been imposed. All PCS branches have been asked to submit the views and comments of members (please see attached CD)

Next Steps

PCS has called a meeting of all branches on 27 August 2009 to discuss our response to these proposals. Clearly there are two scenarios arising from the ongoing consultation – either management will agree to amend their proposals to reflect the concerns of PCS members or they will ignore the views of their own staff.

It is essential that every branch sends a representative from the MGS to the meeting on 27 August. The meeting, which will be held at 11.00am at PCS HQ in Clapham, London will:

  • Hear a report back on the latest position
  • Discuss the concerns and questions raised by members on this issue
  • Discuss the PCS response to these imposed attacks.
  • All options open to us – including industrial action - will be considered at the meeting.

As ever, in PCS it is our members who will decide how we respond and what action we should take. It is therefore essential that your branch is represented at the meeting so that your views and your voice are heard.

Please contact the PCS MGS leads Steve Robinson (030 6793 0355) or John Lyons (07899 094394) for further details or see the forthcoming circular.

In the last 12 months PCS members in the guard service have proven that they are willing and able to defend their terms and conditions of service. We successfully protected our FRA and SDA last year. Now the threat is more serious – and again members have to decide if they are willing to take a stand.

The MGS proposals for PR09 are the tip of a nasty iceberg that threatens all of our jobs, our pay, our terms and conditions and possibly the very future of the guard service. As ever, the only protection for workers is our union.

 

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