SHARED SERVICES - MEMBERS’ MEETINGS

To all members of PCS Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch in Steria Shared Services

Dear Colleagues

The purpose of this post is to advise members of meetings to discuss the outcome of the negotiations on the privatisation from the Shared Services to Steria. The outcome was:

• SSCL will recognise PCS across the new company and will continue to talk to us about job protections, restructuring and all terms and conditions issues.  There will now be “Meaningful Talks” post transfer to develop the protections already agreed.
  
  
• The transfer will be covered by the “New Fair Deal” on pensions and SSCL will be an “admitted body” to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.  This means that staff transferring will remain in their current scheme with no change to contributions or benefits. This includes application of civil service compensation terms and ill health provision.
  
  
• There will be no material changes for at least six months, including compulsory redundancy and offshoring of work.  SSCL commits to “take whatever steps it can reasonably make to avoid the need for compulsory redundancy for the duration of the transformation period of 2 years”.
  
  
• There will be no offshoring of any functions for at least a year.
  
  
• No sites will close for at least a year (including a special commitment from Defra that the Alnwick and York offices will continue to operate as they are for at least 20 months after transfer.  Talks are on-going on extending this commitment to other sites).
  
  
• If and when proposals for site closures or offshoring are made, SSCL will consult with PCS for a minimum of 90 days before proceeding.
  
  
• A “Redeployment Protocol” for former DWP and Defra staff who TUPE transfer to SSCL guarantees that any staff who may be declared surplus as result of restructuring will have a right to apply and if successful be redeployed to a role in either department and their executive agencies.  These staff would have priority access to the Civil Service Vacancies portal in the same way that surplus civil servants do. 

Friday 22nd November 2013   
Tomlinson House Canteen

10:30am or 2:00pm 

A facility time has been applied for, for you to attend one of the meetings, please make every effort to do so.

Yours sincerely

Duncan Griffiths - Branch Secretary