The DWP GEC met on 13 August and received a full report of the negotiations taking place with DWP management on pay and pay related issues. The GEC heard that positive meetings had taken place on pay, managing attendance, family friendly policies and that further meetings on PDS, job security and employee relations were planned. The GEC are keen to see early progress on these important issues and are pressing management for improvements on all of them. The GEC have also asked management to suspend payments through the special bonus scheme until negotiations have taken place where PCS are pressing for the use of the £7 million bonus pot on basic pay. A meeting to discuss the bonus pot has been agreed for next week.
Acas Members ballot over pay cut
This week PCS members working for the conciliation service ACAS have begun a ballot for strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over pay.
The ballot, which runs until August 27 follows delays in settling this year’s pay and a pay remit submitted to Treasury by ACAS, which the union believes will result in real term pay cuts.
Water Rates to Soar
Water companies also announced this week a 26% increase in water bills or over £40 a year for most households adding to the misery of millions of low paid workers already facing massive increases in electricity and gas bills.
Inflation hits all time high
Inflation figures for July were announced this week showing the highest levels of inflation since 1997 with RPI at 5% and the governments favoured inflation measure CPI at 4.4%. Food prices soared by a record 13.7% over the year mainly as a result of surging meat prices - particularly bacon, pork and poultry at a time when the government insists on limiting public sector pay increases to 2%.
It is clear that the most effective way to challenge the pay restraints placed on departments by the government is through our national pay campaign.
Supporting the National Pay Campaign
PCS is seeking national solutions on pay, and meetings with the Cabinet Office, Treasury and Ministers are taking place. We want a negotiated solution. Nevertheless plans are being put in place for a national industrial action ballot on pay in September/October across the Civil Service and public sector organisations.
These plans will also link to action being taken by other public sector unions whenever it is practical to do so. Action across our public sector membership has already achieved success on pensions, and job security measures.
Acas Members ballot over pay cut
This week PCS members working for the conciliation service ACAS have begun a ballot for strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over pay.
The ballot, which runs until August 27 follows delays in settling this year’s pay and a pay remit submitted to Treasury by ACAS, which the union believes will result in real term pay cuts.
Water Rates to Soar
Water companies also announced this week a 26% increase in water bills or over £40 a year for most households adding to the misery of millions of low paid workers already facing massive increases in electricity and gas bills.
Inflation hits all time high
Inflation figures for July were announced this week showing the highest levels of inflation since 1997 with RPI at 5% and the governments favoured inflation measure CPI at 4.4%. Food prices soared by a record 13.7% over the year mainly as a result of surging meat prices - particularly bacon, pork and poultry at a time when the government insists on limiting public sector pay increases to 2%.
It is clear that the most effective way to challenge the pay restraints placed on departments by the government is through our national pay campaign.
Supporting the National Pay Campaign
PCS is seeking national solutions on pay, and meetings with the Cabinet Office, Treasury and Ministers are taking place. We want a negotiated solution. Nevertheless plans are being put in place for a national industrial action ballot on pay in September/October across the Civil Service and public sector organisations.
These plans will also link to action being taken by other public sector unions whenever it is practical to do so. Action across our public sector membership has already achieved success on pensions, and job security measures.
