End of fifth week of MyCSP strike action

To close week five of the MyCSP strike a well-attended members’ meeting was held, which welcomed new members who have joined since the dispute began and are now taking part in the strike action. Members’ resolve couldn’t be stronger in their dispute with the employer, which centres around MyCSP’s refusal to acknowledge PCS and negotiate with us on vital TUPE talks.

PCS has had positive talks with Capita this week, the company to which the members are due to be transferred, on a recognition agreement which will come into being from day one of the transfer.

We have still not heard from MyCSP since Duncan Watson, the chief executive, rejected outright our simplified recognition agreement which contained a proposal on reviewing any previously agreed TUPE terms. It was therefore surprising that he sent an email to staff claiming he was “continuing to work closely with PCS behind the scenes to explore ways to bring this to a swift conclusion.”

The PCS general secretary has written to the Cabinet Office calling on the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) to be brought back in house as the integrity of the administration of the CSPS is now at risk. The PCS head of bargaining has also written to the chair of the public accounts committee to address the inaccuracies in the evidence presented to it by Duncan Watson, MyCSP CEO.

Next week will see the vibrant and well-supported picket lines continue outside the MyCSP offices in Cheadle and Liverpool. It’s intended that Friday’s picket on 15 August, marking the end of the first six weeks of strike action, will be a big event, including after-picket activity with games and food.

Picket lines are held on weekdays from 7:30-10am at MyCSP Ltd, 40 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2BW and from 8-10am at MyCSP, Landmark House, 5 Station Road, Cheadle Hulme,  Cheadle, SK8 7JG.