60% hybrid cost - reasons to vote in the pay ballot

Since 1 September members have had to endure coming into the office for an extra day a week. This means that full-time staff now must spend most of their working week in the office. No good reasons have been given for this unwelcome change. This has undoubtedly led to increased costs for members. A lot of members who are either on or just over the minimum wage are now having to stretch their budget even further.

Transport and costs of caring, such as childcare, have increased. Members are having to find the extra money to fund this. This adds extra stress and pressure to members already suffering who are just about managing to cope with their finances. PCS strongly opposed this move and recently there was over a thousand people on a lunchtime event call organised by the equality committee. There were many heartbreaking stories detailing the toll that this is taking on members.

Members should be able to fully focus on their job roles rather than worrying about their financial and/or caring situations. The DWP should be an exemplar employer. It can demonstrate this by ensuring that all staff have a decent wage at the end of the month.

Not all members are ready to campaign on hybrid working, it is not a unifying issue but pay will unify all members. It is therefore vital that all members play their part in telling the employer that it’s time that our low pay culture is ended once and for all. We all deserve a pay rise. If we push for that and see a huge turnout in the pay ballot that will give our negotiators the ability to demand better in every area. Including hybrid working. A strong union can win for all of us.

Please vote and participate in any action that your union asks you to.