Dear Colleagues (and potential colleagues),

The purpose of this post is to inform members of the PCS strike action across the Civil Service on the 15th of October 2014. 

The action will be coordinated with unions representing workers in the health service which have announced action on Monday, 13th October, and with unions in local government which have announced a strike on 14th October so that there will be 3 consecutive days of strike action over pay in the public sector.

PCS has done everything possible to try and resolve the disputes over the extreme pay restraint yet again imposed by the employer. Unfortunately to date there has not been an acceptable outcome from the Government.

In the four years between 2010 and 2013, the cost of living rose faster than Civil Service pay each year. Figures released by the Civil Service show that average (median) pay increased by only 6 per cent during these four years. The cost of living, prices, housing and other costs rose by 16 per cent, meaning that the average Civil Servant is around £2,300 worse-off than in 2010. This doesn’t even take into account the Public Sector Workers’ tax.

PCS has submitted a pay claim for 2014 demanding:

• An end to the government imposed pay freeze/cap
• A Minimum 5% or £1,200 consolidated pay increase
• Short pay scales and pay progression as a right for all staff
• No discriminatory performance pay
• Closing the  pay gaps within and across departments
• The Living Wage to underpin all pay policies and contracts

We are not on our own taking action against the Government’s attacks on our Pay and living standards. On 10th July 2014 PCS members took co-ordinated strike action with union members in local government, education and the fire service over pay and our national campaign issues. The campaign continues with now local government workers and health service workers also taking strike action in October 2014.

Potential Members
If you have not yet joined your Union, please complete the form here to join.

TUC Rally - 18.10.14

PCS NW Regional Office has supplied the following information:

The TUC is calling for a huge march and rally in London on Saturday 18 October 2014 to support our claim that: BritainNeeds A Pay Rise.

As you would expect PCS is fully supporting the demonstration and we will again be looking to arrange transport to the event from various locations across the North West.

Inevitably places will be strictly limited and allocated on a first come first served basis - once again, more details will follow as soon as we have a clearer idea of what is available.

Regards

Lee Hammond

Administrator

PCS North West

If you would like to attend the rally please contact

us in the Branch office on x62858 or email us.

Civil Service-Wide Overtime Ban

OVERTIME BAN FROM 11TH JULY TO 31ST JULY 2014.

The purpose of this post is to inform members of the overtime ban following on from the PCS strike action across the Civil Service and many other Public Sector areas on the 10th July 2014 that there is now a Civil Service wide overtime ban in place from 11th July to 31st July 2014.

Across the UK, pay cuts have damaged the economy and caused real hardship for millions of people. If pay had kept pace with inflation, average civil service pay would be £2,300 higher than it is now. But the government has announced that the pay cap will continue in 2014 and 2015 and possibly beyond.

PCS have submitted a pay claim to the Cabinet Office, which seeks a £1,200 or 5% pay increase. Further details of the claim are set out below.

PCS have sought central talks on our claim. Now is the time for members to get behind this campaign as we go from strength to strength in challenging the government’s low pay agenda. Working with other unions the joint action on 10th July 2014 is only be the beginning, with targeted action and potentially more joint union action, as well as a mass TUC-organised protest on 18 October 2014.

PCS has submitted a pay claim for 2014 demanding:

• An end to the government imposed pay freeze/cap
• A Minimum 5% or £1,200 consolidated pay increase
• Short pay scales and pay progression as a right for all staff
• Closing the pay gaps within and across departments
• No discriminatory performance pay
• The Living Wage to underpin all pay policies and contract

SUPPORT THE CIVIL SERVICE-WIDE OVERTIME BAN UNTIL 31st JULY 2014

Diredt Debit - Make the Switch

Important Information – Please take a few minutes to read this.

 

PCS is asking all members to sign up to pay their union subscriptions by Direct Debit. Currently almost all of you have your union subs deducted from your salary.

This is called ‘check off’

 

OK but why do it now?

Because the government is threatening to end check off and we have to be ready and not caught on the hop. Because 97% of our 260,000 members pay their union subs by check off it is how the union gets its money to represent and campaign for you. If check off is stopped we must have a quick ready way of collecting your subs. PCS must be financially independent and free to represent you. 

PCS will keep your details safe and secure

PCS already holds a lot of personal details about you as part of your membership records. We keep all personal data completely secure and confidential. PCS has signed up to the legally binding Direct Debit Guarantee scheme to give you data protection financial security. It is no different from any other Direct Debit you have for insurance, gas or electric. 

What will happen once I have sign up to DD

PCS HQ will upload your direct debit details onto the PCS computer system alongside all of the other details we already hold for you. But your direct debit won’t be activated until the removal of ‘check off’ is notified to us by the DWP or PCS nationally decides. You will not have two deductions in one month; PCS will ensure all payments are correct. You will be told when DD will begin.

Is it easy to do?

YES you can do it quickly by going to the PCS website and do it on line - there is a contact number if you get stuck but it is very easy to do (and quick).

Why should I stay in PCS

Because being in the union means you are protected. If you have to have an interview about your sick record PCS will help you. If you are not happy about your appraisal report PCS will help you. The union offers legal advice and an excellent personal injury compensation scheme in case you or a member of your family has an accident at work or at home. But these benefits are only for union members.

Because being in the union means you have a strong voice at work. Strike action won improvements in DWP contact centres. Just a YES vote for strike action forced the DWP to drop the threat of compulsory redundancies. PCS won over £1 million pounds for fixed term staff made redundant by the DWP. Every time we campaign and take action we win improvements. Because PCS is now campaigning for fair pay for us all.