Tens of thousands PCS members are being urged to take Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude MP at his word by staging 15-minute protests against plans to rip up working conditions in the civil service and related organisations.
Lunchtime demonstrations will be co-ordinated at workplaces across the country on 30th November 2012 in opposition to a government 'review' of all existing terms and conditions, including hours and holidays, and family-friendly policies such as flexible and part-time working.
The protest also concerns the public sector pay freeze, the increase in monthly pensions contributions and, after the ed government slashed more than 60,000 civil service jobs in its first two years in office, the tens of thousands more still planned.
Last year when unions were striking over pensions, The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP suggested members could protest for 15 minutes to "get their point across without losing pay".
The decision to hold these events was taken at a meeting of the union's national executive committee yesterday (7th November), which also agreed to continue to pursue a joint campaign with other unions on pensions and pay.
It also agreed that the next NEC meeting in December will consider a timetable for a campaigning action ballot in the New Year. While the fight over pensions and the contribution increases will continue, the ballot will be designed to include opposition to the terms and conditions review and strengthen the union's campaigning focus on pay and living standards.
Cuts to jobs, pay and pensions are all part of a political smash and grab on our public services, and are inextricably linked to the latest threat to working conditions.
Many members at DWP Norcross are very annoyed at the announcement to close the DWP Norcross Site, at Warbreck and Peel Park many members have been told that only approximately 15 to 20% of the members, on any given day, will be allowed to take their annual leave between Christmas and New Year. These are the consequences of the job cuts.
PCS flags are available for the protest from the PCS rooms on each site (as are yellow PCS ponchos).
The protest will consist of a walk around the building or part of the building, lasting no more 15 minutes, from time of leaving to time of return.
