“Better Terms and Conditions Needed Now
As previously reported negotiations have now concluded by the DWP Group Executive Committee (GEC) on the improved terms and conditions package including improvements to managing attendance policies, job security, family friendly policies (including flexi and annual leave) fairer appraisal and better relations with the union. Unfortunately DWP Management have not yet agreed how and when these improvements will be implemented. The GEC believes that PCS members have been very patient already. We have strongly urged Leigh Lewis (DWP Permanent Secretary) to agree a way forward with us to ensure that these much needed improvements are implemented without further delay.
Third Year of Poor Pay Award Expected Soon
As members look forward to the third instalment of the unacceptable imposed 3 year pay offer, due to be paid to staff at the end of July 2009, PCS continue to press hard for more money to improve our pay.
The GEC have asked for another meeting to explore in more detail the efficiency savings that could be used on pay such as stopping altogether the use of private consultants in DWP which would save £100 Million pounds alone.
PCS Conference last month decided that members will be consulted across the civil service during the summer, about the way forward for our National Pay Campaign. More details on this will be available soon.
More Money Must be Found
We have also asked management to look again at all the possible ways of funding a decent pay rise including using the divisive and discriminatory special bonus scheme money. PCS members are facing the prospect of having to work even harder over the summer covering annual leave. Now is the time for Senior Management to give our morale the boost we all need with better pay.
GEC Determined to get More Pay for Members
The newly elected DWP GEC met on 11th June 2009 and agreed that urgent progress must be made on DWP pay. They agreed unanimously that if proper progress was not made they would meet again in two weeks to plan the next steps.
New Secretary of State for DWP
When the Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP took up post on Monday 8th June 2009 as the new Secretary of State for the Department, PCS congratulated her on her appointment and asked her for an urgent meeting with PCS.
Difficult Job
All the press seem to think Yvette Cooper MP has taken on a difficult job and we agree but we were keen to point out that it is DWP staff who have the really hard and vital task and who are doing it brilliantly with the odds stacked against them.
DWP Staff must be Valued and Rewarded
When we meet the new Secretary of State we will make it clear to her that staff cannot continue to deliver the first class service that we are providing without additional permanent recruitment and promotion, more offices and above all the proper rewards to keep us motivated.
Together we will win.”
