Public and Commercial Services Union

National dispute: progress and plans

This issue of Informed gives a report of the decisions taken at the NEC meeting held on 15–17 January 2008

The January meeting of your National Executive Committee heard a
detailed update of negotiations with the Cabinet Office relating to
the national dispute in the Civil Service and Non Departmental Public
Bodies (NDPBs).

Progress was reported in some areas of the talks, which cover avoidance of redundancy, privatisation, well-being at work and national pay arrangements. Negotiations continue and developments will be reported.

The NEC confirmed that it would reconvene to consider a date or dates for national industrial action if any compulsory redundancy notices are issued during the period of negotiations. None have been issued during the talks so far.

However, disputes continue to take place in a number of Groups, including, Government Offices, the Marine and Coastguard Agency, DEFRA, DWP, HMRC, Home Office and elsewhere; other areas may soon ballot on action and action short of a strike. Mainly these disputes are about imposed below-inflation pay deals but also over cuts, office closures and privatisation. The disputes are aimed at achieving fair and reasonable settlements. Your NEC will do all it can to coordinate any action between Groups and with other unions, when required.
 

The NEC agreed to a coordinating meeting of reps and full time officers from Groups and Branches in dispute over pay and other issues on 21 January.

Also, a national Lobby of Parliament will be organised over the government’s policy of holding down public sector pay (date to be confirmed). Other public sector unions will be approached to join in. PCS will also continue to pressurise the TUC and talk to fellow unions to prepare for the possibility of coordinated action over the pay limits imposed on low paid public sector workers, who are not the victims, not the cause, of inflation.

Make Your Vote Count

PCS has a political fund, but is not affiliated to any political party. We
have been developing an approach to politicians which promotes our key campaigning issues and informs members of candidates’ attitudes to those issues, without making recommendations as to how members should vote.

We approach all candidates and parties, with the exception of those on the extreme right. This campaign is called Make Your Vote Count.

Further progress with arrangements for this spring’s campaign was reported to the NEC. We will aim to intervene in the 1st May elections in 164 English councils, the Welsh unitary authorities and for the Greater London Authority and Mayor. In London, other unions were being approached to organise joint “public service” candidates’ question times. Favourable responses had already been received from the NASUWT (teachers), RMT (rail & transport), NUJ (journalists), POA (prison officers) and FBU (firefighters).

Key Westminster marginal seats have been identified for continuing work in promoting PCS’s campaigning priorities both during the run up to May, and beyond.

New initiatives

The NEC discussed a number of responses to continuing changes in the
workforce we organise.

• The Call Centre Forum held in December was very successful and has led to a Call Centre Workers Charter and dedicated resources for members and reps on the PCS website. The NEC will also advise Groups on setting up their own Call Centre Forums, which has taken place in some areas.
• Progress was reported with the Commercial Sector Review, and a report will be made to the 2008 ADC.
• A plan of action was agreed to protect those on New Deal placementsin the civil service, who were in some cases not being paid the rate for the job.