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Focus on you - Acas

12 November 2008

PCS members work in hundreds of different government departments, agencies and private sector companies but we often struggle with the same issues. Each month we ask a different group of members, What's it like working at...Acas?

What is the best thing about working at Acas?

The best thing is the people: all of whom are great. Staff work hard and there is a lot of goodwill. 80% of us are PCS members and we believe in the organisation and the principles it stands for.

What are the main issues facing members in Acas?

The Disputes Resolution Review (DRR), which comes into force in April, will introduce big changes to the way we work and the delivery of our services. We are looking at how this will affect our members.

Pay is another major issue. On 26 September we took part in a one hour strike over delayed and below inflation pay offers. We will also be fully supporting PCS’s national campaign to achieve fair pay in the public sector.

What are the top three priorities for Acas members over the next few months?

The first is to improve our pay. Last year’s offer was 10 months late. This year’s is below inflation, making it a pay cut in real terms. Members are saying enough is enough and are willing to take action to defend their living standards.

Second, we are working to ensure the DRR is a success. Currently, we help to settle three out of four disputes informally, before they reach an employment tribunal, but we will be looking to improve this even further.

Third, there is the issue of estates. The government’s cost cutting has forced us to combine two of our offices at Euston Tower in London. We want to ensure members are not adversely affected by this move and that the premises provide a decent working environment. We are also fighting to keep smaller offices, such as Bedford, open and handle the proposed relocation of our IT services.

Can you tell us about any recent successes?

Thanks to our campaigning, we have a pay structure that allows people to reach the maximum of their grade in a reasonable amount of time.

We also continue to maintain high membership levels. Our reps work hard to sign up new members and we make sure new staff are told about the benefits of union membership.

We have also negotiated a comprehensive information and consultation agreement that allows us to get involved in decision making around how our jobs are done.

Are there any practical ways in which readers can support Acas staff?

We would urge people to write to their local MP and ask why Acas – an organisation that saves the economy £800m a year – is facing cuts to its services and lacks the funding to pay its staff a living wage.

What does Acas do?

Acas’s main role is to improve employment relations. Many people think we are a trade union but we are actually a non-departmental public body funded through the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

Resolving disputes is a key part of Acas’ role, and what we are best known for. We provide individual and collective conciliation and have a well respected free employment helpline for the public.

In addition to this, we offer training, seek to improve workplace policies and procedures and work jointly with unions, workers and employers to find solutions to problems.

We also give companies and individuals the knowledge and skills to improve their own workplaces. For more information check out www.acas.org.uk

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