PCS members in the commercial sector face the same attacks from the government's slash and burn approach to tackling the budget deficit. Thousands of jobs are at risk, fat cat bosses are using the crisis to attack pay and more than 70% of our members don’t even have a pension.
Our members fundamentally reject attempts by the government and media to create a false divide between workers in the public and private sector and on 30 June actively supported the action taken by fellow members in the civil service and public bodies.
PCS members working in Hewlett Packard in Glasgow, Capgemini in the West Midlands, Capita in Liverpool, Mitie cleaners in London and others joined their civil service colleagues on picket lines.
Commercial sector members marched and attended rallies across the country and private sector worker and NEC member Chris Morrison addressed the rally in Telford offering full solidarity with those taking action to defend pensions, jobs and pay. In a number of workplaces commercial sector workers refused overtime and worked their contracted hours and many made donations to the hardship fund.
As we move into the autumn PCS members working in Steria, Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu, Capita, Balfour Beatty Workplace and in welfare to work will be balloted on industrial action to defend their jobs, resist offshoring and to fight low pay.
PCS will be co-ordinating any action that may take place so that public and private sector workers can participate together.
