All out on 8th and 9th of March
A majority of members voting in the national ballot have voted in favour of strike action by 63.4% to 36.6%, and in favour of action short of a strike by 81.4% to 18.6%.
The ballot result sends a clear message to the employer that PCS members will not accept cuts in their accrued rights to fair redundancy compensation at a time when all the main political parties are planning deep public spending cuts.
The national executive (NEC) would like to thank all reps and members for their work in delivering a successful ballot result.
It was agreed to write to the minister for the civil service, making clear our aim of reaching a negotiated settlement and calling on the government to return to talks.
The NEC agreed that notice will be given of a two day national strike on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 March, and a national overtime ban.
The following Branch Briefing has been issued by PCS HQ:
A majority of members voting in the national ballot have voted in favour of a programme of industrial action:
Question 1: strike action
Number of ballot papers returned 83,126
Number voting YES 51,948 (63.4%)
Number voting NO 29,941 (36.6%)
Invalid ballot papers 1,237
Question 2: action short of a strike:
Number of ballot papers returned 83,126
Number voting YES 66,457 (81.4%)
Number voting NO 15,231 (18.6%)
Invalid ballot papers 1,438
The turnout was 31.6%.
We have had a democratic ballot. All relevant members had the opportunity to vote. A clear majority of members who cast their vote, voted in favour of the action.
The ballot result sends a clear message to the employer that PCS members will not accept changes that would mean:
- Everyone’s job under greater threat than ever before
- For many people with longer service, the loss of a third of their entitlements, possibly tens of thousands of pounds
- People currently over 50 losing access to an enhanced pension other than on compulsory redundancy
- People reaching 50 in the future losing access to an enhanced pension Voluntary severance packages becoming less generous and will be at employer discretion
- People with reserved rights (pre-1987) losing more than half of their entitlements
- People facing privatisation transferring with far less protection – therefore making privatisation more likely
Lobbying for an agreement
As ever, PCS will do all it can to proceed by discussion and negotiation. Letters are being sent to Ministers urging them to negotiate with us to address our demands. Lobbying of MPs will take place in Westminster on 3 March. Branches are being urged to lobby local MPs in constituencies on the weekends of 27/28 February and 6/7 March. Further information is available from your regional office.
Industrial action
The National Executive Committee met on 25 February to receive the ballot result and, in the continuing absence of a positive response from the employer, to decide on the timing of strike action and action short of a strike.
Our aim is to bring about an agreement to improve the amendments to the scheme which the government is taking through Parliament. We need to bring industrial and political pressure to bear in the run up to a general election. The NEC has therefore agreed plans for a sustained industrial programme action in March, coupled with pressure from the legal action we are pursuing (a hearing is likely during March).
Strike action
The NEC agreed that notice will be given of a two day national strike on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 March.
Regional strike rallies will take place on 8 March. Please contact your branch office for details. A rally will take place in London on 9 March with national speakers.
National overtime ban
The national strike action will be followed by a national action short of a strike which will consist of an overtime ban. The ban will immediately follow the national strike action and run until 6 April in the first instance. It will be kept under review by the national executive committee.
If we are to defend entitlements under the CSCS, and defend our jobs, it is important we do not allow our strike action to be undermined by the employer getting people to work overtime to clear backlogs created by the action.
View further guidance on the national overtime ban
Further action
We will await the response of the employer to the letter being sent to Ministers calling for a negotiated settlement. The NEC will meet on 2 March and, in the absence of a positive response, will finalise plans for a further national one day strike in the week beginning 15 March. In the continuing absence of a positive response, further action in the weeks beginning 22 and 29 March would be held. The NEC will decide on the precise form and date of the action in these weeks at a meeting on 10 March. The aim of the programme of action would be maximise the effect and profile of the action over the key pre-election period whilst minimising the financial loss to individual members as far as possible.
Regional Committees and Town Committees are also being urged to meet to organise meetings of reps to discuss building the action. Conclusion
On behalf of the NEC we wish to thanks all members and reps for their hard work in achieving this ballot result. We must now go forward united and determined to secure a fair settlement for members.
- Build support for industrial action amongst members and non-members who should be encouraged to join PCS to fight the changes and ensure them protection during the industrial action.
- Lobby your local MPs
Mark Serwotka, General Secretary
Janice Godrich, President
