2008 was a challenging year for us all in MoD. However, by working together we have responded to the threats that we face.* On Protocols on jobs. The protocols are a national agreement that offer important new protections for PCS members from compulsory redundancy.
* On outsourcing Agreement on people consequences of outsourcing and privatisation. Protection from redundancy in an outsourcing situation + in-house options. Both of these agreements were won as a result of PCS member’s willingness to take action and demand fairness at work
*on the bonus New system, supported by over 96% of PCS members in the ballot. We are aware that over 97% of members got a bonus this year. There is more to do and we have agreed with MoD a fundamental review which will we hope see important improvements in the system for the 2010 reporting year...
*on conduct Major work on new PRG. Negotiations ongoing. PCS aim is to ensure that people are treated fairly and with respect. End bullying in MoD. Together we can tackle poor line management. Our reps are working very hard on personal cases to ensure that the agreements that we have are adhered to and that every member is treated fairly at work.
Promotion
/advancement Ongoing review. This will specifically look at promotion from E1 to D and also at promotion/advancement in the senior grades. PCS believes that the A&DC should be looked at specifically. We will also be seeking to make changes to LTTP reward arrangements and to the operation/award of LTTP
*on site closures Wins at Telford, SPVA Gloucester and elsewhere.
The key point is that together we can change things. We have learnt that through a mixture of hard bargaining, campaigning, lobbying politically and being prepared to take action where necessary, that we can win. We need members to be engaged in their union, we need more of you to volunteer to help us (whatever time you can afford) and we need to maintain our unity to win better terms and conditions at work.
Pay
The biggest challenge – as ever – is on pay.
You will by now have seen the Department’s offer. We believe that we have made good progress in most areas:
· Structure pay scales:
o E1 + E2 5 step min to max, D – 6 steps, C2 + above 7 steps. Contrast with 1999 where it was 132 steps from min to max at E1 for example.
o Scale shortening is vital because the pay band maxima is the rate for the job and we want all members to receive the rate for the job as quickly as possible. It also means less money has to be spent on progression and that new money can be focussed on improving the max/rate for the job.
· We have also achieved the end of overlapping between scales
· Significant minimum increases across the pay bands
· Additional progression payments – 8 years + 5 years in pay band worth an extra 3% in year 2 and 3 of the deal.
· 70-90% of our members will receive above inflation awards
· End of HSP/RRA from next year
· LTTP review – new rules on reward + appointments
· Performance pay review – new arrangement for the 2010 reporting year. We want to see a flatter reward structure and fewer bonus tiers.
So from where we have come, our union believes that we have made huge strides – again directly as a result of the action we took in MoD. The action we took has forced the employer to take our concerns seriously.
However, the MoD pay system is so poor we could never hope to fix all of the problems in one go – our GEC know we have more to do on pay and the offer remains rightly unacceptable to many members .
Problems
1. Not all members receive an above inflation award – this cannot be accepted considering the pay restraint that we have all suffered over the previous years.
2. The major problem however is the proposals at the E1 + E2 max. PCS totally opposes the current MoD proposals for staff in the E1 and E2 pay bands. We believe it would be completely unjust and unfair to penalise the lowest paid staff in the department by cutting their pay band maxima. It would be equally wrong to force thousands of hard working staff to accept non consolidated pay awards and also miss out on additional progression payments based on length of service. We will not recommend any offer that penalizes members in this way.
3. Overseas staff – removal of ILW proposals
Where we are
1. Department have notified us of their intention to pay first year of the offer. First payment will be in February pay packets including back pay
2. All staff will migrate to new 3% pay scale. So 2.5% + whatever it takes to move up to next highest spine point
3. Changes to E1 + E2 max will not take effect until May so we have some time to sort issue out
MoD has agreed to continue discussions in two areas:
1. On current offer
2. On the national agreement on pay between PCS and Cabinet Office/Treasury
The national agreement is crucial. Again, won through our members and union standing up for what is right. Signed on 1/12/08 after strike planned for 10/11/08 was called off to allow talks to take place.
1. On current offer
2. On the national agreement on pay between PCS and Cabinet Office/Treasury
The national agreement is crucial. Again, won through our members and union standing up for what is right. Signed on 1/12/08 after strike planned for 10/11/08 was called off to allow talks to take place.
The agreement for the first time:
· Says that there is no 2% limit on pay
· Allows departments to use money saved through efficiencies to improve pay. What this means. Talks will start as soon as remit guidance is published
· Allows us to directly improve the pay offer on the table
Over the next couple of months we will be testing the new national agreement.
For us the agreement must:
1. Allow us to resolve the E1 + E2 max issue
2. Put more money into members’ pockets
3. Allow all members to receive an award in line with inflation.
Some members have asked why Prospect and FDA have balloted members and we haven’t.
The reason is that we believe that we can improve the offer further. Whether we improve it enough you will decide in a ballot once we have completed talks.
If Government abides by the deal we are confident that the agreement will deliver significant sums of money. If it does not we will step up our campaign again until we win.
We will report back to members as quickly as possible.
To Sum Up
1. We have made great strides this year – but there is more to do.
2. Threats we face are huge:
o ACR/PLP/corporate services
o Change – EMR, TLB programmes etc
o Poor management
o Low pay and morale
3. Economic downturn - impact on government + media telling us we are lucky to have a job.
4. But we have proven that we can win when we work together - active involvement of members is vital.
5. Please actively support our union –the members are the union and we really need more people to step up and get involved. We will do everything we can to support new people.
1. Allow us to resolve the E1 + E2 max issue
2. Put more money into members’ pockets
3. Allow all members to receive an award in line with inflation.
Some members have asked why Prospect and FDA have balloted members and we haven’t.
The reason is that we believe that we can improve the offer further. Whether we improve it enough you will decide in a ballot once we have completed talks.
If Government abides by the deal we are confident that the agreement will deliver significant sums of money. If it does not we will step up our campaign again until we win.
We will report back to members as quickly as possible.
To Sum Up
1. We have made great strides this year – but there is more to do.
2. Threats we face are huge:
o ACR/PLP/corporate services
o Change – EMR, TLB programmes etc
o Poor management
o Low pay and morale
3. Economic downturn - impact on government + media telling us we are lucky to have a job.
4. But we have proven that we can win when we work together - active involvement of members is vital.
5. Please actively support our union –the members are the union and we really need more people to step up and get involved. We will do everything we can to support new people.
