Public and Commercial Services Union

Background

At the meeting of the Valuation Office Agency Committee (VOAC) and the VOA representatives consultative meeting held in London on 1st and 2nd April, further consideration was given to the best way to utilise the mandate for industrial action secured in the recent VOA membership ballot.

Action so far

In January and February all PCS members in the VOA were balloted on their willingness to take part in strike action and action short of a strike. An overwhelming majority of members voting indicated they were prepared to engage in all forms of industrial action up to, but not including, strike action.

The first phase of this action took place between 25 February and 31 March. In many areas this action has been especially well supported by PCS members, and indeed by our colleagues in Prospect/AVOV.

From the feedback we have received it is clear that most PCS members in most VO offices stayed away from work on the two “protest days” (29 February and 14 March) At the joint union meetings that preceded these protests members ensured that the CEO’s office received faxes re-affirming the message of no confidence in the world class vision without delivery of world class terms and conditions.

In addition, we know that hundreds of members took the time to send the postcards carrying a similar message to both the CEO and to Jane Kennedy, the Treasury Minister with responsibility for the VOA.

PCS members have really taken up the fight and have been actively engaged in a range of activities designed to disrupt the employer’s ability to do business. This “non co-operation” included the withdrawal of goodwill, working to pay band and refusing to volunteer to work overtime, paid or unpaid. This highlights the fact that the VOA cannot conduct its business without the continued support and goodwill of its staff.

Impact of action so far

Members who have been engaged in this action have rightly asked what impact it is having on the employer, and how this will lead to fair pay in the VOA.

• The Minister and the CEO have been getting a steady stream of postcards with the message “World Class Terms & Conditions for VOA” and it is having an impact! Each postcard received is a further reminder that a member of VO staff, whom they purport to value and cherish, is unhappy enough with the Agency to write directly expressing their concerns.
   
• Additionally over 100 MPs have been directly lobbied on the issue of pay generally and VOA pay specifically. These MPs have in turn raised the issues with the Minister, and will continue to do so as long as you, as constituents, continue to voice your concerns.
   
• All of this really makes a difference. It has raised the profile of VOA issues with the employer and across Whitehall. It has added the PCS voice in the VOA to the wider voice of PCS across the civil service.

The VOAC appreciate that the impact of the action taken by members is not always tangible and they know that this can frustrate and undermine our efforts. However, we hope that members will understand that neither the VOA nor the Minister is going to tell PCS directly just how effective the action is being. In fact the employer will wish to underplay the impact of our action, and this too is frustrating.

With 95% of PCS members in the VOA being offered pay increases worth considerably less than the cost of living and despite members rejecting the offer in a ballot the only response from VO management has been to impose the pay offer.

It is quite clear that the VOA are storing up problems for 2008 and beyond. The fight we are currently engaged in really signals the start of our campaign to secure fair pay, as well as maintaining and extending fair terms and conditions in general, for all PCS members in VOA.

The fact that we have been engaged in well-supported industrial action for the last 6 weeks is an extremely heartening start to our pay campaign. We now need to prepare to take the campaign forward.

Further Action from 24 April 2008

The next phase of action will begin on 24 April. On this day all PCS members in all departments and agencies who are currently in dispute with their employer over pay will be taking action. In addition, union members in other public sector unions, notably the teachers union, NUT, and lecturer’s union, UCU, will be taking strike action an that day, over the issue of their pay.

The VOAC will be asking all VOA members to take protest action on 24 April in concert with action being taken elsewhere across the country. This will enable VO members to add their protest about VO pay to the protest against poor public sector pay in general. A few thousand members in the VOA taking action, at any time, will make a difference. Having half a million public sector members taking action will increase pressure on the government to address the problem, and will in turn influence the context in which we take forward our pay talks with the VOA for 2008 and beyond.

Further information will be published in relation to action on 24 April. In the meantime VO members and branches are urged to make preparations to include:

• Organising walkouts from 1pm on 24 April
• Attending local public rallies where they are taking place
• Supporting PCS members from other departments and agencies who are also in dispute over pay.
• Supporting members in other unions who will be on strike on 24 April by visiting picket lines and leafleting the public.

Following the action on 24 April, we will be asking all VO members to:

• Engage in further lobbying.
• Step up the letter writing campaign
• Contact their MPs again on the issue of pay, terms and conditions.

Detailed guidance, with a full range of possible activities, will be issued shortly.

Pay 2008

The VOAC intend to lodge the 2008 VO pay claim with the VOA in mid-May. Members will be consulted on the content of the claim and briefings on this will be issued in the next week or two.

As part of the HMRC pay claim, which was submitted earlier this week, we have also sought to raise the issue of pay parity between HMRC and the VOA. We are looking to exploit the opportunity HMRC has to include VOA pay in their remit. Your VOAC also intends to make representation directly to the chairman of HMRC regarding VOA Pay

• The fight for fair pay in the VO continues
• Support the next phase of the action on the 24th April
• Support the campaign to deliver decent pay across the public sector
• Ask your branch secretary how you can assist
• Recruit any non members