Responding to new analysis published by XpertHR of recent data on pay awards, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“It is good to see some signs of better pay awards for some in the private sector, but public sector workers continue to suffer from cuts to their living standards – and millions are still excluded from economic recovery.
“The bigger economic problem remains. The UK has become an economy good at creating poorly paid, low-productivity, insecure jobs but this is no basis for a successful economy for the long term.”
22.8.14
PCS National Black Members Seminar 2014
The Following has been supplied by PCS HQ:
The annual PCS Black Members Seminar will take place at the Novotel in Manchester on 11-12 October. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Equality Department on 020 7801 2683. Alternatively you can email at equality@pcs.org.uk.
The annual PCS Black Members Seminar will take place at the Novotel in Manchester on 11-12 October. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Equality Department on 020 7801 2683. Alternatively you can email at equality@pcs.org.uk.
Who
can apply?
Black
is used in the political context to apply to people from African and Asian
Diasporas, including people of dual heritage.
The
seminar seeks to encourage greater participation from black members and is
aimed particularly at members who are newly active or who would like to become
more active in PCS.
Applications
are positively welcomed from women, disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) members who are often under represented at union events.
Seminar
details
The
PCS National Black Members Seminar will be held at the Novotel in Manchester on
11-12 October.
Registration
will open at 12 noon on Saturday, with the seminar starting at 1 pm. The
seminar will finish no later than 1 pm on Sunday.
The
programme will integrate the PCS national campaign and organising priorities of
the union with the particular challenges faced by black members under the
seminar title “Defending
jobs and communities; standing up for race equality”.
A
variety of speakers, workshops and discussion group sessions will be spread
across the weekend.
Please
note that all successful applicants are required to attend for the entire
duration of the seminar.
What
is included?
PCS
will meet the costs of accommodation, meals* and reasonable travel, including
those for carers. Access requirements will be met as far as possible. *Please
note lunch is not provided on Saturday.
Childcare
facilities are available for children between 6 months and 14 years of age,
however places are limited. Delegates are encouraged to make alternative
arrangements where possible and PCS will cover the costs of reasonable
childcare claims on production of a receipt from a registered carer.
How
to apply
Members
can nominate themselves and an application form can be found here. Further copies are
available by contacting the Equality Department on 020 7801 2683.
Alternatively you can email requests for application forms to equality@pcs.org.uk.
Applicants
must submit a supporting statement explaining why they wish to attend. This
information forms part of the selection criteria.
The
closing date for receipt of applications is 5 pm on Friday 5 September
2014.
Faxes
will be accepted on fax number 0207 801 2763 until
5 pm on this date.
Please
note that all seminar correspondence will be sent by email to both home and
work email addresses unless applicants notify us otherwise.
20.8.14
Consultation on the transfer DWP Cleaning Contract from Mitie to Cofely
The following has been supplied by PCS
PCS is aware that our Mitie members working on DWP cleaning Contract have received a letter from Dawn Kiveston, Mitie HR Business Partner, and Integrated Facilities Management informing them that Mitie was unsuccessful in tendering for the contract and that Cofely has been appointed as the new contractor.
She also asked them to elect employee representatives with a view to reaching agreement on the proposals for the transfer of their employment to Cofely but the letter did not mention that Mitie will be consulting the union.
The closing date for the election of the employee representative is Friday 15th August 2014.
Mitie staff in DWP offices should be aware that PCS will be representing them and they should not participate in the election process.
Kind regards.
Sarah Taiwo
DWP Industrial Officer.
PCS is aware that our Mitie members working on DWP cleaning Contract have received a letter from Dawn Kiveston, Mitie HR Business Partner, and Integrated Facilities Management informing them that Mitie was unsuccessful in tendering for the contract and that Cofely has been appointed as the new contractor.
She also asked them to elect employee representatives with a view to reaching agreement on the proposals for the transfer of their employment to Cofely but the letter did not mention that Mitie will be consulting the union.
The closing date for the election of the employee representative is Friday 15th August 2014.
Mitie staff in DWP offices should be aware that PCS will be representing them and they should not participate in the election process.
Kind regards.
Sarah Taiwo
DWP Industrial Officer.
Blackpooland the Fylde College - Discounted Courses for PCS members
Dear colleague
Please find the latest prospectus for discounted courses for Union Members offered by Blackpool & Fylde College here.
Please note that the discount vouchers are only applicable to those courses beginning with the prefix GP.
If you wish to attend any of the discounted courses please contact Katya Lawder either by e-mail or by mail, courier address DLA Blackpool – C122A.
Please detail your membership or staff number and the course you wish to attend.
Please pay attention to the enrolment dates contained within the prospectus to ensure you have got your voucher in time to enrol. PCS can not guarantee any member a place on any course.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Katya Lawder
Branch Learning Officer
Please find the latest prospectus for discounted courses for Union Members offered by Blackpool & Fylde College here.
Please note that the discount vouchers are only applicable to those courses beginning with the prefix GP.
If you wish to attend any of the discounted courses please contact Katya Lawder either by e-mail or by mail, courier address DLA Blackpool – C122A.
Please detail your membership or staff number and the course you wish to attend.
Please pay attention to the enrolment dates contained within the prospectus to ensure you have got your voucher in time to enrol. PCS can not guarantee any member a place on any course.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Katya Lawder
Branch Learning Officer
Back the fighting fund
PCS HQ has supplied the following:
We are asking all members to make a voluntary donation of £2 a month to support striking members whose action could exert significant pressure on the government to enter into national negotiations over the key issues in our dispute:
Members are encouraged to sign up. Information and application forms are available to download here now or from the PCS website here.
We are asking all members to make a voluntary donation of £2 a month to support striking members whose action could exert significant pressure on the government to enter into national negotiations over the key issues in our dispute:
- Pay
- Pensions
- Jobs
- Terms and conditions
- Privatisation.
Members are encouraged to sign up. Information and application forms are available to download here now or from the PCS website here.
18.8.14
Every month 39,000 newly unemployed people across the North West will face five-week wait for safety net support
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
New research published today (Thursday) by the TUC reveals the future impact of a controversial new welfare reform – the five-week wait – on workers in North West England, with 39,000 newly unemployed people set to be hit each month.
Currently most workers who lose their job have to wait two weeks before they get their first benefit payment. But under new Universal Credit rules for assessing unemployment claims, most people will face a wait of more than five weeks before they get any money. This could mean going two months into rent arrears before any cash support arrives.
Across the UK, almost 300,000 people will be hit each month by the five-week wait. Despite this, recent polling by YouGov for the TUC has revealed that fewer than one in seven people (13 per cent) say they have heard of the plans. Seven out of ten people (70 per cent) say that they would be worried when asked to imagine losing their job and not being entitled to receive any benefit payments for five weeks. More than half (52 per cent) say it makes them think less favourably of the government’s welfare reforms.
The TUC’s new research reveals the monthly average number of newly unemployed people broken down by region, local authority (county and unitary) and constituency. This indicates how many people can be expected to be hit by the five-week wait when Universal Credit replaces workers’ current safety net benefits.
Across the region, Lancashire is the most affected local authority where over 5,000 people each month are expected to be hit by the five-week wait, in Manchester more than 3,600 people will be affected whilst in Liverpool just under 3,500 people will be affected(see notes to editors for other local authorities and parliamentary constituencies). These local authorities are amongst the biggest affected in the UK, ranked 4th, 9th and 11th respectively. The DWP’s own analysis suggests that the measure may increase claimants’ reliance on short-term loans.
The TUC has launched a new campaign, Saving Our Safety Net, to highlight the five-week wait and other welfare reforms that cut safety net protection for working people.
North West TUC Regional Secretary Lynn Collins said: “We know workers in the North West have suffered cuts in real earnings over the last 5 years, and will have relied on savings to get by, which means that many workers have no financial buffer if they lose their job. Help should be there when it is needed, but instead people will be left to rely on food banks and pay day loans to see them through the wait.”
“Welfare reform is one thing but the five week wait is a collective punishment for anyone who loses their job. People need to focus on finding new work, instead of being stressed-out about how they will pay the rent, feed the kids and keep the heating on.”
“Job security has got worse since the recession. Government ministers are out of touch and fail to understand the anxiety many people feel not knowing if they’ll still have work next month. If your job goes, the five-week wait puts you at greater risk of a downward spiral where you’re trapped in debt, lose your home, become ill from the stress and fall too far to climb back again.
“With these escalating bills, worsening job security and only a limited recovery in the jobs market, a 5 week wait could easily push many more families into poverty through no fault of their own. These people have paid for, and deserve, a safety net.”
“We are launching the Saving Our Safety Net campaign to expose government welfare plans for what they are – cuts to the National Insurance safety net we’ve all paid into on the understanding that it will be there when we need it.”
New research published today (Thursday) by the TUC reveals the future impact of a controversial new welfare reform – the five-week wait – on workers in North West England, with 39,000 newly unemployed people set to be hit each month.
Currently most workers who lose their job have to wait two weeks before they get their first benefit payment. But under new Universal Credit rules for assessing unemployment claims, most people will face a wait of more than five weeks before they get any money. This could mean going two months into rent arrears before any cash support arrives.
Across the UK, almost 300,000 people will be hit each month by the five-week wait. Despite this, recent polling by YouGov for the TUC has revealed that fewer than one in seven people (13 per cent) say they have heard of the plans. Seven out of ten people (70 per cent) say that they would be worried when asked to imagine losing their job and not being entitled to receive any benefit payments for five weeks. More than half (52 per cent) say it makes them think less favourably of the government’s welfare reforms.
The TUC’s new research reveals the monthly average number of newly unemployed people broken down by region, local authority (county and unitary) and constituency. This indicates how many people can be expected to be hit by the five-week wait when Universal Credit replaces workers’ current safety net benefits.
Across the region, Lancashire is the most affected local authority where over 5,000 people each month are expected to be hit by the five-week wait, in Manchester more than 3,600 people will be affected whilst in Liverpool just under 3,500 people will be affected(see notes to editors for other local authorities and parliamentary constituencies). These local authorities are amongst the biggest affected in the UK, ranked 4th, 9th and 11th respectively. The DWP’s own analysis suggests that the measure may increase claimants’ reliance on short-term loans.
The TUC has launched a new campaign, Saving Our Safety Net, to highlight the five-week wait and other welfare reforms that cut safety net protection for working people.
North West TUC Regional Secretary Lynn Collins said: “We know workers in the North West have suffered cuts in real earnings over the last 5 years, and will have relied on savings to get by, which means that many workers have no financial buffer if they lose their job. Help should be there when it is needed, but instead people will be left to rely on food banks and pay day loans to see them through the wait.”
“Welfare reform is one thing but the five week wait is a collective punishment for anyone who loses their job. People need to focus on finding new work, instead of being stressed-out about how they will pay the rent, feed the kids and keep the heating on.”
“Job security has got worse since the recession. Government ministers are out of touch and fail to understand the anxiety many people feel not knowing if they’ll still have work next month. If your job goes, the five-week wait puts you at greater risk of a downward spiral where you’re trapped in debt, lose your home, become ill from the stress and fall too far to climb back again.
“With these escalating bills, worsening job security and only a limited recovery in the jobs market, a 5 week wait could easily push many more families into poverty through no fault of their own. These people have paid for, and deserve, a safety net.”
“We are launching the Saving Our Safety Net campaign to expose government welfare plans for what they are – cuts to the National Insurance safety net we’ve all paid into on the understanding that it will be there when we need it.”
15.8.14
DCS Flexible Working Hours Agreement (still applicable in the AAU)
We have had a number of members requesting a copy of the DCS (still applicable in the AAU) FWH agreement. It can be found here.
FAO: MITIE Members on the DWP Cleaning Contract
The following has been supplied by PCS HQ:
Dear all,
PCS is aware that our Mitie members working on DWP
cleaning Contract have received a letter from Dawn Kiveston, Mitie HR Business
Partner, and Integrated Facilities Management informing them that Mitie was
unsuccessful in tendering for the contract and that Cofely has been appointed
as the new contractor. She also asked them to elect employee representatives
with a view to reaching agreement on the proposals for the transfer of their
employment to Cofely but the letter did not mention that Mitie will be consulting
the union. The closing date for the
election of the employee representative is Friday 15th August 2014.
Please talk to Mitie staff in your office and let them
know that PCS will be representing them and not to participate in the election
process.
Kind regards.
Sarah Taiwo
DWP Industrial Officer.
14.8.14
The PCS fighting fund supports members taking targeted industrial action.
- Pay
- Pensions
- Jobs
- Terms and conditions
- Privatisation.
You can donate by:
- Writing a cheque for £24 made payable to PCS fighting fund levy and sending it to PCS Finance Department, Freepost, BFH1003, 160 Falcon Road, London, SW11 2BR
- Completing a direct debit form.
We are seeking to build co-ordinated action with other unions over issues that affect the whole public sector such as the pay cap and pension changes.
On 10 July around 1.5 million public sector workers participated in joint strike action, and we will continue to pursue mass co-ordinated action.
Sustained targeted industrial action has proved a successful tool in trade union disputes throughout history, but has to be funded to ensure the members involved are not left in poverty.
In our consultation last year, dozens of branches said they were willing to take targeted action. Our national disputes committee is now working with branches and reps to look at how this could work in practice.
Encourage your colleagues to back the fighting fund and, if they haven’t already, to join PCS.
13.8.14
PCS National Black Members Seminar
PCS Equality, Health and Safety Department has issued details of the 2014 National Black Members Seminar.
It is to be held in Manchester on the 11th and 12th of October 2014.
The seminar seeks to encourage greater participation from black members and is aimed particularly at members who are newly active or who would like to become more active in PCS. Black is used in the political context to apply to people from African and Asian Diasporas, including people of dual heritage.
Applications are positively welcomed from women, disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members who are often under represented at union events.
The application forms, more information and contact details can be found here.
It is to be held in Manchester on the 11th and 12th of October 2014.
The seminar seeks to encourage greater participation from black members and is aimed particularly at members who are newly active or who would like to become more active in PCS. Black is used in the political context to apply to people from African and Asian Diasporas, including people of dual heritage.
Applications are positively welcomed from women, disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members who are often under represented at union events.
The application forms, more information and contact details can be found here.
Cofely Pay 2014 Ballot Result
PCS' Industrial Office Jayne Craven has supplied the follwing:
33.6% of PCS members returned their ballot paper and of these 93.7% voted in favour to accept the recommendations of PCS to accept the pay offer. This will see you receive a minimum of £7.20 per hour, or 1.75% whichever is the greater.
Everyone in London to get a minimum of £8.63 per hour. Cofely have defined London as offices within the M25 with the exception of the Watford service centre. Please refer to briefing Cofely MB/003/14 to confirm their definition of London.
33.6% of PCS members returned their ballot paper and of these 93.7% voted in favour to accept the recommendations of PCS to accept the pay offer. This will see you receive a minimum of £7.20 per hour, or 1.75% whichever is the greater.
Everyone in London to get a minimum of £8.63 per hour. Cofely have defined London as offices within the M25 with the exception of the Watford service centre. Please refer to briefing Cofely MB/003/14 to confirm their definition of London.
Antifracking event: Reclaim the Power Camp: 14-20 August
Reclaim the Power camp is back.
After supporting residents and antifracking campaigners in Balcombe last year, the camp returns to an as yet undisclosed location near Blackpool where the fracking threat continues.
PCS policy, endorsed at this years conference, is to oppose fracking and to engage with antifracking campaigns and support non-violent protests.
Three PCS NEC members have already confirmed they will be attending this protest event, as well as a number of green reps from PCS and other unions.
The exact location will be revealed this week and posted on the PCS North West Office events page and the location will be displayed there once it has been published.
http://www.nodashforgas.org.uk/programme2014/
After supporting residents and antifracking campaigners in Balcombe last year, the camp returns to an as yet undisclosed location near Blackpool where the fracking threat continues.
PCS policy, endorsed at this years conference, is to oppose fracking and to engage with antifracking campaigns and support non-violent protests.
Three PCS NEC members have already confirmed they will be attending this protest event, as well as a number of green reps from PCS and other unions.
The exact location will be revealed this week and posted on the PCS North West Office events page and the location will be displayed there once it has been published.
http://www.nodashforgas.org.uk/programme2014/
Britain Needs A Pay Rise: Sunday 28 September 2014
In addition to the march/rallies in London and Manchester there is
another being organised to coincide with the Conservative Party Conference
in Birmingham on Sunday 28 September 2014.
As with the demo in London in October, PCS have allocated a small budget to secure transportation for members attending the event.
As with the demo in London in October, PCS have allocated a small budget to secure transportation for members attending the event.
Please
contact the Branch Office, no later than 15th August 2014 if you are interested
in attending.
8.8.14
Change to Direct Debit
DWP PCS members go to pcs.org.uk or see your union rep to make the switch to pay your PCS subscriptions by Direct Debit. Say no to management attacking the union. Stick with PCS. Protect yourself by and make sure we can represent you when you need help by completing a mandate to switch to Direct Debit to pay your subs.
Sign up online, visit the direct debit pages now
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