The following details have been supplied by the PCS DWP Group:
As part of the government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ initiative, Jobcentre Plus advisers can offer JSA claimants aged 18 to 24 a period of work experience with employers for between 25 and 30 hours per week.
PCS believes that while work experience clearly has a role in helping people back to work the government should be investing in real jobs, not cutting them as it is currently doing in DWP and all major government departments.
DWP, as an employer, is participating in its own flagship scheme and will therefore be offering work experience placements to JSA claimants in its offices. The intention is for DWP to offer around 1,500 work experience placements each year. The placements will last between 4 and 8 weeks. A JSA claimant can be offered a placement in any part of DWP apart from any Jobcentre Plus office that deals with any element of their JSA claim.
These work experience placements are not DWP employees and are not subject to DWP terms and conditions or HR policies. They are not paid by DWP while on work experience but continue to receive their benefits, plus any additional travel or childcare costs.
Safeguards in Place
The supposed aim of the work experience placements is to provide participants with the opportunity to gain some experience of work to improve their job prospects and real life experience of the workplace. Placements should be given real and meaningful activities but they cannot be used to replace employees who may be leaving DWP.
Strict rules which prevent them from having access to the Department’s main computer systems should mean they cannot replace paid staff. Placements should be given no expectation of a permanent or temporary job at the end of the placement. All placements will have to complete security checks prior to them starting their placement.
PCS Concerns
PCS has raised concerns over the use of placements in DWP offices. No extra resources have been made available to managers to support the use of placements. We believe it will be a further unwelcome burden on hard-pressed staff and managers to carry out inductions and ensure that meaningful activities are made available for people on placements while having to do their ‘day job’ at the same time.
The use of work experience placements on this scale in DWP is unprecedented. It is therefore quite probable that issues and concerns will arise over the coming period as the placements start to appear in offices.
24.8.11
Important Dates
Pete Middleman, North West Regional Secretary for PCS has supplied the following:
Please see below two important dates for your diary.
Building on the success of the 26th March, March for the Alternative, 30th June rallies and a good PCS presence at the summer festivals including the Durham Miners' Gala and Tolpuddle, it is important to maintain momentum through the Party conference season. Therefore, we are co-ordinating NW members' involvement in major TUC national demonstrations at:
Please ensure that these events are brought to the attention of your Branches, Networks and members to maximise attendance.
Transport to both will be provided by the regional office and we will subsequently issue a deadline to register for the same.
Given that the Tory conference takes place in our region, we expect the Manchester event to be particularly well supported.
Please see below two important dates for your diary.
Building on the success of the 26th March, March for the Alternative, 30th June rallies and a good PCS presence at the summer festivals including the Durham Miners' Gala and Tolpuddle, it is important to maintain momentum through the Party conference season. Therefore, we are co-ordinating NW members' involvement in major TUC national demonstrations at:
- Liberal Democrat conference, Birmingham - Sunday 18th September
- Conservative party conference, Manchester - Sunday 2nd October
Please ensure that these events are brought to the attention of your Branches, Networks and members to maximise attendance.
Transport to both will be provided by the regional office and we will subsequently issue a deadline to register for the same.
Given that the Tory conference takes place in our region, we expect the Manchester event to be particularly well supported.
PM's riot act exposes his anti-safety obsession
The extent of David Cameron's antipathy to rules protecting people from sometimes deadly injuries and diseases at work has been exposed this week. Campaigners have accused the prime minister of being 'crass and insulting' after he claimed 'health and safety' bore some of the responsibility for last week's riots. He used a 15 August speech to attack what he claimed was the 'obsession with health and safety that has eroded people's willingness to act according to common sense.' Cameron added that 'as we urgently review the work we're doing on the broken society, judging whether it's ambitious enough - I want to make it clear that there will be no holds barred... and that most definitely includes the human rights and health and safety culture.' Hazards Campaign spokesperson Hilda Palmer said the prime minister's attempt to link social unrest to health and safety rules 'is not only complete rubbish but completely crass and scraping the bottom of the daft ideas barrel.' Citing the case of a satellite dish firm Foxtel Ltd, which was fined £1 this week after the death of employee Noel Corbin, she said: 'Noel's employers went into liquidation therefore avoiding any accountability or paying the penalty for the crime. There's not a get-out clause available to rioters, so why should it be available to killer employers?' She said company safety failings cost society billions each year, adding: 'The government's answer to this is to let employers get away with even more killing, injuring and making workers ill, as well as looting our economy by attacking and cutting health and safety provisions.' Stirling University regulatory policy expert Professor Andy Watterson was also critical of the prime minister. 'It's the lack of a safety culture, as espoused by failing unfettered market principles, that does so much damage, year after year, to public health in the UK, not health and safety,' he wrote in a letter to The Guardian. 'This is particularly disturbing as evidence rolls in week by week about the health and safety failures of deregulated workplaces and the successes of regulated ones.'
Prospect slams 'irresponsible' government
Health and safety legislation is neither excessive nor damaging to innovation, Prospect has told an independent review ordered by the government. The review, headed by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt and due to report in the autumn, has been told by ministers to concentrate on 'easing' burdens on business. Prospect, which includes 1,500 Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors and specialists in its membership, is warning, however, that it is not regulation but non-compliance and poor interpretation of the rules that should be of greatest concern. The union is sceptical whether the review will carry any weight given the wider deregulatory agenda being pursued by government. Prospect deputy general secretary Mike Clancy said the government's 'Good Health and Safety, Good for Everyone' blueprint, launched in March 2011, 'provides further evidence of its deregulatory agenda given the removal, without consultation, of swathes of industry from HSE's preventive inspection regime. This is an irresponsible tactic that is designed solely to meet the cuts targets set by the comprehensive spending review.' Prospect says the safety system could be improved through measures to make health and safety simpler, with clear, concise, sensitive guidance, rather than being driven by the 'pejorative premise that health and safety is a burden to business.' According to Clancy: 'Shoddy interpretation and application of the law is at the heart of much of the negative media attention when, in fact, poor employer behaviour and management neglect are the main causes of the toll on the workforce.'
Union safety demands kill infections
Union members must 'act now' to protect workplace health and safety rights and standards from an unprecedented attack, public sector union UNISON has said. Its short guide on 'The threat to health and safety' says the system protecting workers 'is under greater threat now than at any other time.' In addition to cuts to the Health and Safety Executive's funding and a significant reduction in official workplace safety inspections, it warns 'hard-won health and safety legislation is on the chopping block and people are becoming more vulnerable to issues such as stress, bullying and violence.' With an estimated 500,000 public sector workers set to lose their jobs, UNISON adds, insecure workers will be less likely to raise safety concerns and will be reluctant to take sick leave. 'The impact of this is that workplaces become both more dangerous and unhealthier,' the guides notes. With many UNISON workplaces now classified as 'low risk' and exempt from preventive, 'proactive' HSE inspections, workers are losing essential protection. 'Studies show that over 90 per cent of employers improve their health and safety policies either immediately before or after an inspection,' the union points out. It says UNISON reps should encourage members to keep on reporting and recording health and safety incidents. It adds they should raise concerns about the cuts to health and safety with their local MP and should tell their story through the local media, highlighting how the cuts are affecting people in particular workplaces.
18.8.11
Pension Petition
PCS have been made aware of an e-petition on the government’s change to the uprating of pensions from RPI to CPI, which has recently been made available on the Directgov web-site:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535
You may be aware that PCS are currently challenging this change by Judicial Review and the case is due to be heard in the High Court later this year. Should the site receive 100K responses it will result in the matter being debated by Parliament, which may assist our challenge.
This change to the uprating mechanism from Retail Price Index (RPI) to Consumer Price Index (CPI) would yet again see a significant reduction in the final value of pensions.
Please sign the petition.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535
You may be aware that PCS are currently challenging this change by Judicial Review and the case is due to be heard in the High Court later this year. Should the site receive 100K responses it will result in the matter being debated by Parliament, which may assist our challenge.
This change to the uprating mechanism from Retail Price Index (RPI) to Consumer Price Index (CPI) would yet again see a significant reduction in the final value of pensions.
Please sign the petition.
16.8.11
UNISON calls for safety action now
Union members must 'act now' to protect workplace health and safety rights and standards from an unprecedented attack, public sector union UNISON has said. Its short guide on 'The threat to health and safety' says the system protecting workers 'is under greater threat now than at any other time.' In addition to cuts to the Health and Safety Executive's funding and a significant reduction in official workplace safety inspections, it warns 'hard-won health and safety legislation is on the chopping block and people are becoming more vulnerable to issues such as stress, bullying and violence.' With an estimated 500,000 public sector workers set to lose their jobs, UNISON adds, insecure workers will be less likely to raise safety concerns and will be reluctant to take sick leave. 'The impact of this is that workplaces become both more dangerous and unhealthier,' the guides notes. With many UNISON workplaces now classified as 'low risk' and exempt from preventive, 'proactive' HSE inspections, workers are losing essential protection. 'Studies show that over 90 per cent of employers improve their health and safety policies either immediately before or after an inspection,' the union points out. It says UNISON reps should encourage members to keep on reporting and recording health and safety incidents. It adds they should raise concerns about the cuts to health and safety with their local MP and should tell their story through the local media, highlighting how the cuts are affecting people in particular workplaces.
11.8.11
Government refusing real talks
Unite’s assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail, who also took part in the recent talks with the government over public sector pensions, said: “There was a serious risk that the talks could have broken down after Danny Alexander took the decision to try to negotiate through the media. However, we continue to negotiate in good faith but remain convinced that we must make progress on pension contributions, indexation and pension age for our members to find any changes acceptable.
"The government still wants our members to pay more and work longer – it refuses to make any compromises.
"There has been no movement from the government on pension contribution increases, the link to the rising state pensions and the unions remain at odds with the government over the inflation link change from RPI to CPI.”
The government’s approach to negotiations also infuriated the FDA, the senior civil service union, whose general secretary Jonathan Baume said: “The Treasury is simply fixed on raising their £2.8 billion pensions' levy, and seems to have no genuine interest in a long-term, sustainable agreement on the future of public sector pension provision.”
While it represents far fewer members than the other unions, the FDA’s decision to be mandated for a strike ballot at its annual conference is another sign that an autumn of strike action is looming.
"The government still wants our members to pay more and work longer – it refuses to make any compromises.
"There has been no movement from the government on pension contribution increases, the link to the rising state pensions and the unions remain at odds with the government over the inflation link change from RPI to CPI.”
The government’s approach to negotiations also infuriated the FDA, the senior civil service union, whose general secretary Jonathan Baume said: “The Treasury is simply fixed on raising their £2.8 billion pensions' levy, and seems to have no genuine interest in a long-term, sustainable agreement on the future of public sector pension provision.”
While it represents far fewer members than the other unions, the FDA’s decision to be mandated for a strike ballot at its annual conference is another sign that an autumn of strike action is looming.
Call for Osborne pension tax rethink
The GMB is talking about a possible strike ballot. National officer Brian Strutton told the union’s annual conference, which represents 700,000 members including many thousands in local authorities, that “we will draw a line in the sand when the government deliberately attempts to destroy our pensions”.
In the most recent bulletin to members over the ongoing negotiations with the government, he added that the GMB was asking for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to be considered apart from other public sector schemes because of its funding and the proportion of lower paid workers making contributions, saying: “Fundamentally, government needs to show flexibility in their approach to the substance of the negotiations, not just the form.
“I expect the first Local Government Pension Scheme specific meeting to take place very soon and GMB will be looking for a clear signal from government that they are rethinking the Osborne pension tax - the 50% increase in member contributions that threatens the viability of the scheme.
“GMB remains committed to the policy of negotiating the best proposals we can while preparing for industrial action should negotiations fail. We are not at that point yet and I will keep you informed.”
In the most recent bulletin to members over the ongoing negotiations with the government, he added that the GMB was asking for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to be considered apart from other public sector schemes because of its funding and the proportion of lower paid workers making contributions, saying: “Fundamentally, government needs to show flexibility in their approach to the substance of the negotiations, not just the form.
“I expect the first Local Government Pension Scheme specific meeting to take place very soon and GMB will be looking for a clear signal from government that they are rethinking the Osborne pension tax - the 50% increase in member contributions that threatens the viability of the scheme.
“GMB remains committed to the policy of negotiating the best proposals we can while preparing for industrial action should negotiations fail. We are not at that point yet and I will keep you informed.”
Autumn of action looms
Following the success of the mass walkout and co-ordinated action with other unions on 30 June the plan is to co-ordinate further action with other trades unionists being targeted by government cutbacks.
After the well-supported national action by PCS, the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, more strikes could be on the way this autumn. Negotiations may be ongoing, but there is little or no movement over the future of public sector pensions – and seemingly little option other than to take a stand against a government that refuses to budge.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has said if no agreement is reached there will be a ballot of Unison’s 1.2 million members working in local government and the NHS over the government’s pension reforms. In June he said: “Be in no doubt this union is on the road to industrial action in the autumn.
“This will not be a one-day action, as we know that will not change anything. This is longer term industrial action to prevent the destruction of public service pension schemes. The only thing that can stop this is if the government allows us to negotiate."
The union is said to have put together a £30million fighting fund for the action, including the £1.2million cost of the ballot itself. To prepare for possible industrial action, Unison has had to demonstrate an accurate database of members, a process likely to take 17 weeks to complete in order for there to be as little scope as possible for employers to challenge the ballot.
After the well-supported national action by PCS, the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, more strikes could be on the way this autumn. Negotiations may be ongoing, but there is little or no movement over the future of public sector pensions – and seemingly little option other than to take a stand against a government that refuses to budge.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has said if no agreement is reached there will be a ballot of Unison’s 1.2 million members working in local government and the NHS over the government’s pension reforms. In June he said: “Be in no doubt this union is on the road to industrial action in the autumn.
“This will not be a one-day action, as we know that will not change anything. This is longer term industrial action to prevent the destruction of public service pension schemes. The only thing that can stop this is if the government allows us to negotiate."
The union is said to have put together a £30million fighting fund for the action, including the £1.2million cost of the ballot itself. To prepare for possible industrial action, Unison has had to demonstrate an accurate database of members, a process likely to take 17 weeks to complete in order for there to be as little scope as possible for employers to challenge the ballot.
Threat of offshoring
PCS members working for Hewlett Packard are campaigning against proposals to offshore about 200 jobs from the UK to India. The application, maintenance and support (AMS) jobs are based mainly in Newcastle, Lytham and Sheffield and we are concerned that these proposals represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of further offshoring of government work.
The proposals will mean that government data on 26 million Department for Work and Pensions customers will be accessible from India and potentially raises the prospect of more work being done from overseas. It is critical to all our members in the public and private sector that these proposals are stopped.If our initial campaigning does not deliver the outcome we are looking for PCS members across HP will be balloted on taking wider industrial action that will include striking to prevent the company engaging in any further sell-off of our members’ jobs.
The proposals will mean that government data on 26 million Department for Work and Pensions customers will be accessible from India and potentially raises the prospect of more work being done from overseas. It is critical to all our members in the public and private sector that these proposals are stopped.If our initial campaigning does not deliver the outcome we are looking for PCS members across HP will be balloted on taking wider industrial action that will include striking to prevent the company engaging in any further sell-off of our members’ jobs.
Work Programme in chaos
The following has been supplied by PCS HQ:
Tory minister Chris Grayling announced on 4 July that the government’s new welfare to work programme was now “fully operational across Great Britain”. What he failed to tell anybody is that there is still chaos, confusion and recrimination about the roles of PCS members who should have TUPE transferred to implement the new scheme.
A legal case is still being progressed by the commercial sector against Working Links for the lack of consultation over redundancies for the 300 employees delivering Pathways to Work earlier in the year. The Department for Work and Pensions said Pathways would not be included in the Work Programme – but if you look at the DWP website today, it redirects members of the public who would have been eligible for Pathways to the Work Programme. There may still be challenges to providers from Pathways workers about the TUPE status of their roles.
And the DWP’s position on Pathways has encouraged some providers to say that TUPE doesn’t apply at all to the Work Programme – or that it doesn’t apply to some contracts transitioning to the Work Programme, so people who thought they would be protected by TUPE find themselves in an employment no man’s land.PCS is taking up these cases, but the lack of co-ordination across providers, and the DWP’s hands-off impression of Pontius Pilate means that a number of members face huge uncertainty about their future.
We will be lucky if employment tribunals make decisions about these cases before the end of this year.
Tory minister Chris Grayling announced on 4 July that the government’s new welfare to work programme was now “fully operational across Great Britain”. What he failed to tell anybody is that there is still chaos, confusion and recrimination about the roles of PCS members who should have TUPE transferred to implement the new scheme.
A legal case is still being progressed by the commercial sector against Working Links for the lack of consultation over redundancies for the 300 employees delivering Pathways to Work earlier in the year. The Department for Work and Pensions said Pathways would not be included in the Work Programme – but if you look at the DWP website today, it redirects members of the public who would have been eligible for Pathways to the Work Programme. There may still be challenges to providers from Pathways workers about the TUPE status of their roles.
And the DWP’s position on Pathways has encouraged some providers to say that TUPE doesn’t apply at all to the Work Programme – or that it doesn’t apply to some contracts transitioning to the Work Programme, so people who thought they would be protected by TUPE find themselves in an employment no man’s land.PCS is taking up these cases, but the lack of co-ordination across providers, and the DWP’s hands-off impression of Pontius Pilate means that a number of members face huge uncertainty about their future.
We will be lucky if employment tribunals make decisions about these cases before the end of this year.
Private and public sector workers in it together
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.
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.
10.8.11
PCS statement on the UK riots
Thousands of our members live and work in the communities that have been hit by the vandalism and looting of recent days. Tragically many people have lost their homes, and many more their workplace, potentially their job and income too.
We echo the words of the Fire Brigades Union, “these events illustrate the bravery and commitment of London’s firefighters, and the entire capital will be grateful to them”. Our emergency services in London and other cities have once again shown that they play a vital role in protecting the public.
Public sector workers, from police community support officers to welfare advisers and from teachers to youth workers, will have a huge role to play in rebuilding and in maintaining a sense of community. The government has spent recent months disrespecting these workers and attacking their jobs, pensions and pay; it is time for that to stop and for them to recognise their valuable contribution to society.
As communities clear up, we have to step back and recognise these disturbances did not happen in a vacuum. It is not condoning violence to say that simply dismissing this as 'mindless criminality' is to give up on our responsibility to look for causes and solutions.
Youth unemployment is at its highest level on record, and further and higher education costs are set to soar. Public services are being slashed in many communities with councils cutting youth services and eligibility to housing. Welfare cuts and privatisation mean jobcentres are being closed and benefit cuts are causing anguish and hardship to many.
Our society is more unequal than at any point since the 1930s. There will be those who will call for tougher sentencing and more police powers, but these will not solve the very deep problems facing our country. As PCS has argued, we need investment to create the jobs and build the infrastructure that our communities need.
We should also resist attempts to demonise young people in general. They have been the biggest victims of this recession. The lawlessness of the financial and political elites is a much larger problem that our society must address.
In the coming days and weeks, we must address the complex issues that have led to the recent days' incidents across London and elsewhere, and caused so many to be rightly shocked and appalled.
Mark Serwotka - General Secretary
Janice Godrich - President
We echo the words of the Fire Brigades Union, “these events illustrate the bravery and commitment of London’s firefighters, and the entire capital will be grateful to them”. Our emergency services in London and other cities have once again shown that they play a vital role in protecting the public.
Public sector workers, from police community support officers to welfare advisers and from teachers to youth workers, will have a huge role to play in rebuilding and in maintaining a sense of community. The government has spent recent months disrespecting these workers and attacking their jobs, pensions and pay; it is time for that to stop and for them to recognise their valuable contribution to society.
As communities clear up, we have to step back and recognise these disturbances did not happen in a vacuum. It is not condoning violence to say that simply dismissing this as 'mindless criminality' is to give up on our responsibility to look for causes and solutions.
Youth unemployment is at its highest level on record, and further and higher education costs are set to soar. Public services are being slashed in many communities with councils cutting youth services and eligibility to housing. Welfare cuts and privatisation mean jobcentres are being closed and benefit cuts are causing anguish and hardship to many.
Our society is more unequal than at any point since the 1930s. There will be those who will call for tougher sentencing and more police powers, but these will not solve the very deep problems facing our country. As PCS has argued, we need investment to create the jobs and build the infrastructure that our communities need.
We should also resist attempts to demonise young people in general. They have been the biggest victims of this recession. The lawlessness of the financial and political elites is a much larger problem that our society must address.
In the coming days and weeks, we must address the complex issues that have led to the recent days' incidents across London and elsewhere, and caused so many to be rightly shocked and appalled.
Mark Serwotka - General Secretary
Janice Godrich - President
9.8.11
Government inciting 'hatred' of disabled
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
Over 50 charities have condemned the government for "contributing to hatred towards disabled people" by portraying them as work-shy scroungers. The Disability Benefits Consortium said the government is using 'dangerously misleading' statistics to fuel claims that high numbers of benefits claimants are faking. Department for Work and Pensions released figures last week suggested that only 7 per cent of claimants for employment support allowance, the new benefit that replacing incapacity benefits, were unable to do any sort of work. This led to press reports that the majority of sickness benefits claimants are 'faking'. TUC responded by saying the government, which has introduced much tougher and much criticised disability tests, was more interested in saving money than helping the sick or those with disabilities. Disability Alliance spokesperson Neil Coyle, echoing the TUC comments, said: 'The government must ensure appropriate support is available to disabled people to get and keep work. It is very worrying that some support has dropped in the last year. Sadly, the language to describe disabled people needing support has become more offensive and this also contributes to barriers to work as employers suspect genuinely disabled people of faking or being 'work-shy'.' Disability Benefits Consortium spokesperson Hayley Jordan condemned the "irresponsible and inaccurate portrayal of benefits claimants... Disabled people are very disappointed that the government is refusing to ensure accurate reporting and may be contributing to stigmatisation, victimisation and exclusion.'
Over 50 charities have condemned the government for "contributing to hatred towards disabled people" by portraying them as work-shy scroungers. The Disability Benefits Consortium said the government is using 'dangerously misleading' statistics to fuel claims that high numbers of benefits claimants are faking. Department for Work and Pensions released figures last week suggested that only 7 per cent of claimants for employment support allowance, the new benefit that replacing incapacity benefits, were unable to do any sort of work. This led to press reports that the majority of sickness benefits claimants are 'faking'. TUC responded by saying the government, which has introduced much tougher and much criticised disability tests, was more interested in saving money than helping the sick or those with disabilities. Disability Alliance spokesperson Neil Coyle, echoing the TUC comments, said: 'The government must ensure appropriate support is available to disabled people to get and keep work. It is very worrying that some support has dropped in the last year. Sadly, the language to describe disabled people needing support has become more offensive and this also contributes to barriers to work as employers suspect genuinely disabled people of faking or being 'work-shy'.' Disability Benefits Consortium spokesperson Hayley Jordan condemned the "irresponsible and inaccurate portrayal of benefits claimants... Disabled people are very disappointed that the government is refusing to ensure accurate reporting and may be contributing to stigmatisation, victimisation and exclusion.'
Letwin wants more deadly job insecurity
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The government's policy chief has revealed the government's determination to instil a real 'fear' of job losses in public sector workers. The comments from Oliver Letwin, architect of the coalition's plans to reform public services, came as new research highlights the deadly consequences of job insecurity. Letwin told a meeting at the offices of leading consultancy firm KPMG: 'You can't have room for innovation and the pressure for excellence without having some real discipline and some fear on the part of the providers that things may go wrong if they don't live up to the aims that society as a whole is demanding of them.' He added: 'Some will not survive. It is an inevitable and intended consequence of what we are talking about.' Mark Serwotka, general secretary the civil service union PCS, described the minister's comments as 'nonsense.' He said: 'Public sector workers are already working in fear - fear of cuts to their job, pension, living standards and of privatisation. Far from improving productivity, the cuts are creating chaos in vital public services.' Research on the impact of job insecurity, published in the August 2011 edition of the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, concluded 'perceived job insecurity can lead to adverse health effects in both permanent and temporary employees. Policies should aim to improve work-related well-being by reducing job insecurity. Efforts towards 'flexicurity' are important, but it is equally important to remember that a significant proportion of employees with a permanent contract experience job insecurity.'
The government's policy chief has revealed the government's determination to instil a real 'fear' of job losses in public sector workers. The comments from Oliver Letwin, architect of the coalition's plans to reform public services, came as new research highlights the deadly consequences of job insecurity. Letwin told a meeting at the offices of leading consultancy firm KPMG: 'You can't have room for innovation and the pressure for excellence without having some real discipline and some fear on the part of the providers that things may go wrong if they don't live up to the aims that society as a whole is demanding of them.' He added: 'Some will not survive. It is an inevitable and intended consequence of what we are talking about.' Mark Serwotka, general secretary the civil service union PCS, described the minister's comments as 'nonsense.' He said: 'Public sector workers are already working in fear - fear of cuts to their job, pension, living standards and of privatisation. Far from improving productivity, the cuts are creating chaos in vital public services.' Research on the impact of job insecurity, published in the August 2011 edition of the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, concluded 'perceived job insecurity can lead to adverse health effects in both permanent and temporary employees. Policies should aim to improve work-related well-being by reducing job insecurity. Efforts towards 'flexicurity' are important, but it is equally important to remember that a significant proportion of employees with a permanent contract experience job insecurity.'
3.8.11
NW TUC Demonstrations
The following has been provided by the PCS NW Regional Secretary:
Dear Colleague,
Please see below two important dates for your diary.
Building on the success of the 26th March, March for the Alternative, 30th June rallies and a good PCS presence at the summer festivals including the Durham Miners' Gala and Tolpuddle, it is important to maintain momentum through the Party conference season. Therefore, we are co-ordinating NW members' involvement in major TUC national demonstrations at:
- Liberal Democrat conference, Birmingham - Sunday 18th September
- Conservative party conference, Manchester - Sunday 2nd October
We expect the PCS North West Regional Banner to be present at both events and will require volunteers to march behind it. Please ensure that these events are brought to the attention of your Branches, Networks and members to maximise attendance. Transport to both will be provided by the regional office and we will subsequently issue a deadline to register for the same.
Given that the Tory conference takes place in our region, we expect the Manchester event to be particularly well supported. Anyone interested in attending should contact either Grant McClure or Katya Lawder by email or on x61186.
Funding cuts by local authorities risk women's safety and support
Provided by the TUC:
Local authorities are ignoring ministers' warnings that violence against women services should not be a soft target for funding cuts, says the TUC, End Violence Against Women Coalition and Women's Resource Centre in response to research published today (Tuesday) by False Economy.
The False Economy research - available at www.falseeconomy.org.uk - shows that numerous support services for women are having their funding cut or withdrawn in the current financial year.
These services - which are essential for women to access safety, justice and to rebuild their lives - include domestic violence projects, specialist support for ethnic minority women fleeing violence and counselling services for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Violence against women is far more widespread than is commonly thought: 60,000 women are raped each year, one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and it is estimated that 20,000 girls under 15 are at high risk of female genital mutilation in the UK each year.
Adequate provision of support after violence is one of the key objectives of the government's strategy to end violence against women and girls.
TUC Women's Officer Scarlet Harris said: 'The data uncovered by the False Economy website today presents an alarming picture.
'In spite of government assurances about the importance of violence against women services, many are being forced to close their doors or scale back their work due to funding cuts.
'Worryingly, we know that the cuts indentified today are just the tip of the iceberg as funding for many of these services is likely to be reduced further in the coming years.
'These are not 'nice to have' services, they are often quite literally a lifeline to vulnerable women and girls.'
Vivienne Hayes of Women's Resource Centre said: 'Women's organisations provide some of the most cost-effective services across the UK for women and families in need.
'They have also long been grievously underfunded, and seeing these figures shows all too starkly the terrible impact these cuts are having on such vital services.
'Local authorities should not adopt a 'slash and burn' policy when it comes to cutting women's organisations' funding, and should instead ensure that where possible financing is secured and the UK's most vulnerable and marginalised women are supported. This data shows that a more sensible, pragmatic approach towards making savings locally is essential.'
Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition Holly Dustin said: 'We already have very patchy provision of these essential services and by cutting funding to existing services, or withdrawing it altogether, councils are leaving women high and dry at a time when they most need support to escape violence and rebuild their lives.
'Violence against women support services are not a luxury that can only be afforded in good economic times, they are core services that all women should have access to no matter where they live. We are calling for local authorities to ringfence funding for specialist services as part of local violence against women strategies, as some are already doing.
'We also think it's critical that all local areas have specialist Commissioners who have expertise on these issues, and for there to be a national oversight mechanism to end patchy provision.'
Local authorities are ignoring ministers' warnings that violence against women services should not be a soft target for funding cuts, says the TUC, End Violence Against Women Coalition and Women's Resource Centre in response to research published today (Tuesday) by False Economy.
The False Economy research - available at www.falseeconomy.org.uk - shows that numerous support services for women are having their funding cut or withdrawn in the current financial year.
These services - which are essential for women to access safety, justice and to rebuild their lives - include domestic violence projects, specialist support for ethnic minority women fleeing violence and counselling services for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Violence against women is far more widespread than is commonly thought: 60,000 women are raped each year, one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and it is estimated that 20,000 girls under 15 are at high risk of female genital mutilation in the UK each year.
Adequate provision of support after violence is one of the key objectives of the government's strategy to end violence against women and girls.
TUC Women's Officer Scarlet Harris said: 'The data uncovered by the False Economy website today presents an alarming picture.
'In spite of government assurances about the importance of violence against women services, many are being forced to close their doors or scale back their work due to funding cuts.
'Worryingly, we know that the cuts indentified today are just the tip of the iceberg as funding for many of these services is likely to be reduced further in the coming years.
'These are not 'nice to have' services, they are often quite literally a lifeline to vulnerable women and girls.'
Vivienne Hayes of Women's Resource Centre said: 'Women's organisations provide some of the most cost-effective services across the UK for women and families in need.
'They have also long been grievously underfunded, and seeing these figures shows all too starkly the terrible impact these cuts are having on such vital services.
'Local authorities should not adopt a 'slash and burn' policy when it comes to cutting women's organisations' funding, and should instead ensure that where possible financing is secured and the UK's most vulnerable and marginalised women are supported. This data shows that a more sensible, pragmatic approach towards making savings locally is essential.'
Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition Holly Dustin said: 'We already have very patchy provision of these essential services and by cutting funding to existing services, or withdrawing it altogether, councils are leaving women high and dry at a time when they most need support to escape violence and rebuild their lives.
'Violence against women support services are not a luxury that can only be afforded in good economic times, they are core services that all women should have access to no matter where they live. We are calling for local authorities to ringfence funding for specialist services as part of local violence against women strategies, as some are already doing.
'We also think it's critical that all local areas have specialist Commissioners who have expertise on these issues, and for there to be a national oversight mechanism to end patchy provision.'
Fit for work tests are about cutting costs
Provided by the TUC:
The government is more interested in saving money that providing genuine assistance so those that are sick or have disabilities can move into work, the TUC has said. New claimants of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) must undergo Work Capability Assessments (WCA) to see if they are capable of some sort of employment. Latest government figures show of 1.3 million tests between October 2008 and November 2010, just 88,700 (7 per cent) were considered unfit for any work.
A further 17 per cent were assessed as able to do some sort of work given the correct support, and 39 per cent were deemed to be fit for work and were moved onto jobseeker's allowance. Commenting on the figures, released this week by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The new incapacity benefit assessment is a much tougher test than previously and is designed to save the government money by excluding more people. It is therefore unsurprising that more disabled people have been declared fit for work. These figures certainly don't suggest that thousands of disabled people are suddenly 'trying it on'.' He added: 'The government needs to do much more to help disabled people back into jobs, rather than cracking down on the benefits they get when they are unable to work.' He said Access to Work statistics released the same day show that in 2010/11 the number of disabled people helped by this scheme fell by just over 1,400 on the previous year.
The DWP figures came as a report by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee concluded that some vulnerable benefit claimants had payments stopped because of administrative errors in work assessments. The private French company given £100 million a year to carry out the tests, Atos Healthcare, received stern criticism in the committee's report. Its work 'has often fallen below the standard claimants rightly expect. This has contributed significantly to the widely felt mistrust of the whole process,' the report said. Atos staff are currently testing around 11,000 incapacity benefit claimants a week, to help judge whether they are eligible for benefit payments. The TUC, charities and MPs say they have been contacted by large numbers of people who felt their test results were simply wrong.
Reports that the vast majority of disabled claimants are fit for work should not be trusted, the union representing workers in the benefits system has said. PCS, which has thousands of members in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said the tests for claimants fail to address many serious health issues. The union was commenting after a House of Commons select committee report into incapacity benefit re-assessments concluded the system 'does not accurately assess claimants' employability and needs in the workplace.' PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: 'This exercise is just about saving money by bullying people who are sick or disabled onto lower levels of benefit. It is not about finding people work - because there is no work available.' He added: 'The government is failing to create jobs, while cutting thousands of posts in the public sector. The government has given £100 million to a private health care company to do these flawed assessments - instead of using the health service which is already there and trusted by the public. The government have set up a system that demonises disabled people and will encourage bullying and hate crimes. Disabled people need more support - not less - to lead independent lives, including working lives.'
The government is more interested in saving money that providing genuine assistance so those that are sick or have disabilities can move into work, the TUC has said. New claimants of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) must undergo Work Capability Assessments (WCA) to see if they are capable of some sort of employment. Latest government figures show of 1.3 million tests between October 2008 and November 2010, just 88,700 (7 per cent) were considered unfit for any work.
A further 17 per cent were assessed as able to do some sort of work given the correct support, and 39 per cent were deemed to be fit for work and were moved onto jobseeker's allowance. Commenting on the figures, released this week by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The new incapacity benefit assessment is a much tougher test than previously and is designed to save the government money by excluding more people. It is therefore unsurprising that more disabled people have been declared fit for work. These figures certainly don't suggest that thousands of disabled people are suddenly 'trying it on'.' He added: 'The government needs to do much more to help disabled people back into jobs, rather than cracking down on the benefits they get when they are unable to work.' He said Access to Work statistics released the same day show that in 2010/11 the number of disabled people helped by this scheme fell by just over 1,400 on the previous year.
The DWP figures came as a report by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee concluded that some vulnerable benefit claimants had payments stopped because of administrative errors in work assessments. The private French company given £100 million a year to carry out the tests, Atos Healthcare, received stern criticism in the committee's report. Its work 'has often fallen below the standard claimants rightly expect. This has contributed significantly to the widely felt mistrust of the whole process,' the report said. Atos staff are currently testing around 11,000 incapacity benefit claimants a week, to help judge whether they are eligible for benefit payments. The TUC, charities and MPs say they have been contacted by large numbers of people who felt their test results were simply wrong.
Reports that the vast majority of disabled claimants are fit for work should not be trusted, the union representing workers in the benefits system has said. PCS, which has thousands of members in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said the tests for claimants fail to address many serious health issues. The union was commenting after a House of Commons select committee report into incapacity benefit re-assessments concluded the system 'does not accurately assess claimants' employability and needs in the workplace.' PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: 'This exercise is just about saving money by bullying people who are sick or disabled onto lower levels of benefit. It is not about finding people work - because there is no work available.' He added: 'The government is failing to create jobs, while cutting thousands of posts in the public sector. The government has given £100 million to a private health care company to do these flawed assessments - instead of using the health service which is already there and trusted by the public. The government have set up a system that demonises disabled people and will encourage bullying and hate crimes. Disabled people need more support - not less - to lead independent lives, including working lives.'
TUC warns that safety must not be undermined
Provided by the TUC:
The TUC has said it will 'strongly oppose' any government moves to undermine workplace health and safety protection. The statement comes in a written submission to the government commissioned Löfstedt review of workplace health and safety. Ministers have directed the review to concentrate on 'easing unnecessary burdens on business'.
In response, TUC states: 'It does not support regulation for the sake of it, and has worked closely with the HSE on its simplification programme because that was a genuine attempt to ensure that the regulatory regime was effective.' But it adds the TUC 'does not believe however that regulation imposes any kind of burden on business. It is a responsibility, just as paying taxes is a responsibility, and no business should be able to operate unless it can do so safety.' The submission concludes: 'Regulation needs enforcement to be effective and the current level of enforcement activity is clearly inadequate.'
TUC says the review 'should confirm that health and safety regulation should be developed by an independent Health and Safety Executive, making recommendations to the government on regulations. This will ensure that regulations will have the support of all sides of industry and continue to be effective and simple.' It adds: 'The TUC will strongly oppose any attempt to reduce the level of protection at a time when over 20,000 people are killed every year as a result of work and 2.1 million are suffering from an injury or illness caused or made worse by work.'
The TUC submission notes that voluntary, 'self-regulation' approaches are not a viable alternative to regulation and enforcement, and have 'failed' where they have been tried.
The TUC has said it will 'strongly oppose' any government moves to undermine workplace health and safety protection. The statement comes in a written submission to the government commissioned Löfstedt review of workplace health and safety. Ministers have directed the review to concentrate on 'easing unnecessary burdens on business'.
In response, TUC states: 'It does not support regulation for the sake of it, and has worked closely with the HSE on its simplification programme because that was a genuine attempt to ensure that the regulatory regime was effective.' But it adds the TUC 'does not believe however that regulation imposes any kind of burden on business. It is a responsibility, just as paying taxes is a responsibility, and no business should be able to operate unless it can do so safety.' The submission concludes: 'Regulation needs enforcement to be effective and the current level of enforcement activity is clearly inadequate.'
TUC says the review 'should confirm that health and safety regulation should be developed by an independent Health and Safety Executive, making recommendations to the government on regulations. This will ensure that regulations will have the support of all sides of industry and continue to be effective and simple.' It adds: 'The TUC will strongly oppose any attempt to reduce the level of protection at a time when over 20,000 people are killed every year as a result of work and 2.1 million are suffering from an injury or illness caused or made worse by work.'
The TUC submission notes that voluntary, 'self-regulation' approaches are not a viable alternative to regulation and enforcement, and have 'failed' where they have been tried.
29.7.11
Safety concerns remain over new coastguard plans
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
Watered-down government plans to slash the number of Britain's coastguard centres will still risk lives, unions have warned. Originally it was proposed that the number of centres be cut from 19 to eight, with only three remaining open 24 hours a day. But Transport secretary Philip Hammond announced in the Commons last week that 11 centres would remain and that they would all operate round-the-clock. The union PCS welcomed the climb-down from the government's original proposals, but said it will still oppose any new plans that would result in safety being compromised. It added the announcement was 'a partial victory for the communities who campaigned to save what is an essential public service that they hold dear. But it will be a bitter blow for those still under threat.' PCS expressed concern the government had made no commitment to prevent compulsory redundancies, and insisted the new plans must be subject to 'full and meaningful consultation involving staff, unions, the public and other interested parties.' PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: 'We pay tribute to our coastguard members and people in their communities who have fought so hard to defend what is a vital public service.' He added, however: 'This fight is not over. We are committed to ensuring we retain the local knowledge of our coastlines that is essential to saving lives, as we are determined to defend all public services and our communities from the government's cuts.' Bob Crow, general secretary of the transport union RMT, said: 'While the government have clearly been forced by public and union pressure to make significant changes to their original proposals we still remain concerned that the revised plans may leave gaps in the service and we will be seeking further assurances that there will be no impact on the safety of our members out on the high seas.'
Watered-down government plans to slash the number of Britain's coastguard centres will still risk lives, unions have warned. Originally it was proposed that the number of centres be cut from 19 to eight, with only three remaining open 24 hours a day. But Transport secretary Philip Hammond announced in the Commons last week that 11 centres would remain and that they would all operate round-the-clock. The union PCS welcomed the climb-down from the government's original proposals, but said it will still oppose any new plans that would result in safety being compromised. It added the announcement was 'a partial victory for the communities who campaigned to save what is an essential public service that they hold dear. But it will be a bitter blow for those still under threat.' PCS expressed concern the government had made no commitment to prevent compulsory redundancies, and insisted the new plans must be subject to 'full and meaningful consultation involving staff, unions, the public and other interested parties.' PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: 'We pay tribute to our coastguard members and people in their communities who have fought so hard to defend what is a vital public service.' He added, however: 'This fight is not over. We are committed to ensuring we retain the local knowledge of our coastlines that is essential to saving lives, as we are determined to defend all public services and our communities from the government's cuts.' Bob Crow, general secretary of the transport union RMT, said: 'While the government have clearly been forced by public and union pressure to make significant changes to their original proposals we still remain concerned that the revised plans may leave gaps in the service and we will be seeking further assurances that there will be no impact on the safety of our members out on the high seas.'
Legal changes will hurt victims
The following has been supplied by the TUC:
A government shake-up of the legal system will be bad news for many of the hundreds of thousands of people harmed by their work each year. TUC's Hugh Robertson was commenting as the government confirmed it will press ahead with the reforms to civil compensation, including personal injury claims. These proposals, contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, 'will seriously damage access to justice for many working people,' writes the TUC head of safety in the union body's Touchstone blog. 'While attention has focused on those sections of the bill dealing with legal aid and sentencing, other parts could also prove to be disastrous for those people seeking compensation because of an injury at work caused by the employers' negligence.' He adds: 'Union members will be among the millions who are deprived of the ability to claim compensation, or who will lose damages. As many as 25 per cent of injury claims will not be brought. Those that proceed might lose up to 25 per cent of damages for the success fee and further substantial reductions for required legal expense insurance.' He says many people will no longer be able to obtain legal representation, particularly for low value or complex cases. 'However, although a claim of £3,000 or £4,000 may be considered to be low value by the government, it is not low value to a cleaner who earns £6 an hour and represents four months wages.' He warns workplace safety will be another victim. 'By reducing the threat of litigation in workplace accidents and diseases, health and safety at work will be undermined. The money taken from claimants and their representatives won't benefit the Treasury, but the big insurers will gain a windfall.'
A government shake-up of the legal system will be bad news for many of the hundreds of thousands of people harmed by their work each year. TUC's Hugh Robertson was commenting as the government confirmed it will press ahead with the reforms to civil compensation, including personal injury claims. These proposals, contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, 'will seriously damage access to justice for many working people,' writes the TUC head of safety in the union body's Touchstone blog. 'While attention has focused on those sections of the bill dealing with legal aid and sentencing, other parts could also prove to be disastrous for those people seeking compensation because of an injury at work caused by the employers' negligence.' He adds: 'Union members will be among the millions who are deprived of the ability to claim compensation, or who will lose damages. As many as 25 per cent of injury claims will not be brought. Those that proceed might lose up to 25 per cent of damages for the success fee and further substantial reductions for required legal expense insurance.' He says many people will no longer be able to obtain legal representation, particularly for low value or complex cases. 'However, although a claim of £3,000 or £4,000 may be considered to be low value by the government, it is not low value to a cleaner who earns £6 an hour and represents four months wages.' He warns workplace safety will be another victim. 'By reducing the threat of litigation in workplace accidents and diseases, health and safety at work will be undermined. The money taken from claimants and their representatives won't benefit the Treasury, but the big insurers will gain a windfall.'
Code Breaking Challenge
PCS in Leeds have issued the following: In conjunction with the recent visit to Bletchley Park (Home of the WWII code breaking museum) the Queen has launched a code breaking challenge which is open to ages 13 to 16. The challenge is contained within a document here with the last coded message being the subject of the competition and closes on Thursday 18th August.Given that school's will be breaking up for the summer very soon, PCS thought this would be something useful for staff who are looking ways to keep their children amused during this time.
28.7.11
PCS statement to members on public sector pensions
PCS HQ has issued the following statement to all PCS members:
"The government has today (Thursday 28 July) made further announcements regarding their attacks on public sector pensions confirming what we have said all along:
they want you to pay more and work longer for a smaller pension.
All of this despite the evidence clearly demonstrating that changes are not required.
They argue that there is protection for low paid workers. But this only applies to those earning less than £15,000 (only 4% of PCS members). Those who earn between £15,000 and £21,000 will pay 1.5% more and those above £21,000 will pay anything between 3% and 6%.
All of this at a time of a pay freeze, rising prices and no certainty about the future pension. Nearly all members will have to pay more, to work longer, and get a pension not as good as their current scheme.
The talks to date have been about public sector pensions in general. Now the government wants to move to talks about individual schemes. We are considering our approach to these talks and are discussing this with the other civil service unions. We need to be sure that these talks are real negotiations not just about implementing predetermined plans.
On 30 June members took strike action alongside members of three education unions. Other unions have already indicated that they are looking to join us in any further action. Unless the government engages in serious and honest negotiations, more public sector workers will be striking in the autumn. This will be critical to ensure the so-called consultation is taken seriously by government.
We know that our pensions are affordable and sustainable – indeed earlier in the week a senior cabinet minister, Andrew Lansley, said that the government’s proposals were wrong.
The government says this is about paying to tackle the deficit, but there is an alternative way that would prevent the need for the government to impose what is effectively an extra tax on working in the public sector.
Instead of targeting public servants, pensioners, students, disabled people and those entitled to welfare payments, the government should invest in jobs and public services to help our economy to grow and tackle seriously the £120 billion in taxes lost each year through tax evasion, avoidance and a lack of resources in Revenue and Customs."
"The government has today (Thursday 28 July) made further announcements regarding their attacks on public sector pensions confirming what we have said all along:
they want you to pay more and work longer for a smaller pension.
All of this despite the evidence clearly demonstrating that changes are not required.
They argue that there is protection for low paid workers. But this only applies to those earning less than £15,000 (only 4% of PCS members). Those who earn between £15,000 and £21,000 will pay 1.5% more and those above £21,000 will pay anything between 3% and 6%.
All of this at a time of a pay freeze, rising prices and no certainty about the future pension. Nearly all members will have to pay more, to work longer, and get a pension not as good as their current scheme.
The talks to date have been about public sector pensions in general. Now the government wants to move to talks about individual schemes. We are considering our approach to these talks and are discussing this with the other civil service unions. We need to be sure that these talks are real negotiations not just about implementing predetermined plans.
On 30 June members took strike action alongside members of three education unions. Other unions have already indicated that they are looking to join us in any further action. Unless the government engages in serious and honest negotiations, more public sector workers will be striking in the autumn. This will be critical to ensure the so-called consultation is taken seriously by government.
We know that our pensions are affordable and sustainable – indeed earlier in the week a senior cabinet minister, Andrew Lansley, said that the government’s proposals were wrong.
The government says this is about paying to tackle the deficit, but there is an alternative way that would prevent the need for the government to impose what is effectively an extra tax on working in the public sector.
Instead of targeting public servants, pensioners, students, disabled people and those entitled to welfare payments, the government should invest in jobs and public services to help our economy to grow and tackle seriously the £120 billion in taxes lost each year through tax evasion, avoidance and a lack of resources in Revenue and Customs."
UAF Leafletting
Dear colleagues,
We have been asked to pass on an announcement that local anti-fascist activists will be leafletting against the English Defence League in Blackpool this Saturday.
If you wish to help with the leafletting please contact the branch office on 01253 331186 for further details.
A good source of current information and news about the EDL is Lancaster Unity.
We have been asked to pass on an announcement that local anti-fascist activists will be leafletting against the English Defence League in Blackpool this Saturday.
If you wish to help with the leafletting please contact the branch office on 01253 331186 for further details.
A good source of current information and news about the EDL is Lancaster Unity.
27.7.11
Turrrets and Staffing Etc - Reminder
To all members of the PCS Fylde Central Benefitsand Services Branch at Warbreck who work on Turrets.
MEMBERS’ MEETINGS
THURSDAY 28th JULY 2011
Dear Colleagues
Members will be fully aware of the job cuts that have been announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Senior PDCS Management have continued discussions with PCS about the Turrets and call handling. These discussions have included potential changes to the manner in which calls are handled at Warbreck. We met last on 6th July 2011. We have requested time to meet with the members who work on Turrets.
We have arranged two members’ meetings as follows to discuss the latest issues:
THURSDAY 28th JULY 2011
Warbreck Canteen - 10.00 am
Warbreck Canteen - 2.00 pm
If you have read this post and are not a member; then please complete an application form to join. Only members who work on Turrets may attend the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there.
26.7.11
Call for ministers to put safety before profits
The government must not allow workers to die to boost business profits, civil service union PCS has said. The union, which has hundreds of members in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), made the call in responses to government-initiated reviews of health and safety legislation. It says when coalition politicians talk about 'reducing the burden of health and safety legislation on UK businesses... this demonstrates a lack of care for employees by the UK government.' The union says its members in HSE are fighting a 35 per cent budget cut over four years, which it believes would make it 'very difficult' for them to do their jobs properly, a problem amplified for the government's risky strategy. According to PCS: 'The proposed changes are pro-business. They will increase risk-taking by employers and increase the number of work-related stress cases, near misses, injuries and fatalities.' The union adds that a three-pronged attack on workplace health and safety is currently underway. The government commissioned Löfstedt review of health and safety has been given a deregulatory brief and is due to report in October. A government initiated sickness absence review is being co-chaired by the head of the strongly anti-safety regulation British Chambers of Commerce. And the government's Red Tape Challenge is highlighting health and safety regulation until 21 July.
22.7.11
High court challenge over cuts to redundancy pay
The government's cuts to redundancy terms for civil and public servants will tomorrow face a legal challenge in the high court from the two largest civil service unions.
PCS and the Prison Officers' Association are challenging by way of a judicial review cuts to redundancy pay imposed through legislation passed last year.
The unions - which together represent almost two-thirds of the total civil service workforce - argue that, because rights to certain redundancy terms have accrued through length of service, they are classed as a "possession" in human rights law and should not be "interfered with" unless there is an over-riding public interest.
In November, MPs and Lords on the human rights joint committee criticised the government's plans as they were going through parliament, saying ministers had not made the case for capping payouts.
During the bill's progress, PCS accused Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude of misleading MPs when he claimed in parliament the union had declined invitations to negotiate.
The previous government's attempt to impose a civil service compensation scheme, which governs redundancy terms, was struck down by the high court shortly before the general election last year following a successful judicial review taken by PCS.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Ministers simply want to make it easier and cheaper to throw 100,000 of their own staff out of work in the deluded belief this will help our economy get back on track.
"We are determined to fight this, not just to protect our members' jobs but to defend the communities they serve from the ideological vandals in this Tory-led cabinet. Instead of cutting jobs, the government should be creating them and investing in our public services to help our economy to grow."
PCS and the Prison Officers' Association are challenging by way of a judicial review cuts to redundancy pay imposed through legislation passed last year.
The unions - which together represent almost two-thirds of the total civil service workforce - argue that, because rights to certain redundancy terms have accrued through length of service, they are classed as a "possession" in human rights law and should not be "interfered with" unless there is an over-riding public interest.
In November, MPs and Lords on the human rights joint committee criticised the government's plans as they were going through parliament, saying ministers had not made the case for capping payouts.
During the bill's progress, PCS accused Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude of misleading MPs when he claimed in parliament the union had declined invitations to negotiate.
The previous government's attempt to impose a civil service compensation scheme, which governs redundancy terms, was struck down by the high court shortly before the general election last year following a successful judicial review taken by PCS.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Ministers simply want to make it easier and cheaper to throw 100,000 of their own staff out of work in the deluded belief this will help our economy get back on track.
"We are determined to fight this, not just to protect our members' jobs but to defend the communities they serve from the ideological vandals in this Tory-led cabinet. Instead of cutting jobs, the government should be creating them and investing in our public services to help our economy to grow."
12.7.11
Expert slams government's safe jobs 'fantasy'
Cuts to safety enforcement, regulation and budgets are being justified with government 'lies', UNISON members have been told. Addressing 150 concerned workers at a fringe meeting of the union's annual conference last week, Hazards Campaign spokesperson Hilda Palmer ripped into the cut price, cut back health and safety strategy which will see most workers in 'low risk' workplaces shunted off the official enforcement radar. 'The government claims that offices shops and schools - the kind of places where UNISON members work - are non-hazardous. This is wrong. You are actually quite likely to die of stress-related illnesses,' she said. She added that people who work with computers or in call centres are more likely to suffer from muscle and joint disorders. Employment minister Chris Grayling 'hated health and safety' and wanted to throw the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the 'bonfire of the quangos,' she said. The minister has fronted a government assault on health and safety that has seen HSE inspector numbers slashed, preventive safety inspections cut back by 11,000 a year and an attack of safety regulations based on an unfounded claim they inhibit enterprise and are bad for business, she said. 'There is an acceptance that proactive inspections work,' Palmer added. 'But they are not taking place in agriculture, which kills more workers per 100,000 than any other industry, manufacturing and the whole of the public sector. The idea that work is safe is a lie.' The Hazards Campaign is leading a 'We didn't vote to die at work' campaign, to challenge the government's safety strategy.
Unions denounce safety red tape 'sham'
The increasingly desperate tone and tactics employed by the government in its attempts to justify the removal of safety protection at work have been described by unions as a 'sham' bordering on 'reality TV show' banality. In a news release issued this week by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), employment minister said the government's Red Tape Challenge on health and safety regulations, which will run from 30 June to 21 July, 'is the opportunity that every beleaguered business leader, incredulous community group or outraged newspaper reader has been waiting for - a chance to directly change the laws underpinning Britain's health and safety culture.' In a statement, the TUC was highly critical of the government approach. 'The government is, once again, spreading the myth that health and safety regulation is 'red tape'. We do not believe that government policy should be made on the basis of who shouts loudest, and do not think that the safety and health of workers should be determined by the outcome of a web-based discussion forum,' the statement said. 'The need to protect your workers is not a burden, it is a responsibility and, at times like this we should be trying to ensure that employers do obey the law and do not cut corners. Instead we have seen a retreat away from enforcement, two reviews of health and safety regulation and now this. What is to be next - a TV reality show to decide what piece of legislation gets ditched?' TUC added that the approach is 'a flawed process which undermines the existing decision-making process on health and safety which seeks to regulate on the basis of consensus and evidence.' Unite general secretary Len McCluskey dismissed the red tape challenge as an 'insult' and 'a sham.' He added: 'It is not an appropriate way to determine government policy on health and safety at work - and it is an insult to workers everywhere, particularly those who have been injured themselves or for those families who have lost a loved one.'
Abuse aimed at pickets
On Thursday 30th June 2011 at circa 8 am a C Cabs driver made foul and abusive gestures made by towards male and female members of PCS, DWP Fylde Central Benefits and Services and SPVA Branches, who were picketing at the White Carr Lane Gate at Norcross.
We were obviously disappointed that anyone would chose to make foul and abusive gestures towards male and female PCS members, and brought this behaviour to the attention of the Managing Director of C Cabs giving them, out of courtesy, the opportunity to comment on the behaviour of one of C Cabs drivers.
There has been no reply and therefore we thought that we ought to bring this to the attention of the membership of the Branches.
We were obviously disappointed that anyone would chose to make foul and abusive gestures towards male and female PCS members, and brought this behaviour to the attention of the Managing Director of C Cabs giving them, out of courtesy, the opportunity to comment on the behaviour of one of C Cabs drivers.
There has been no reply and therefore we thought that we ought to bring this to the attention of the membership of the Branches.
PCS National Black Members' seminar 2011
The PCS National Black Members' seminar 2011 is scheduled to be held from the 21st - 23rd of October 2011.
This year’s seminar will be held in Liverpool at the Adelphi Hotel, the theme is the ‘Public Sector Cuts – The Impact: Resistance and Fight Back.’
The seminar presents an opportunity for PCS members from the African & Asian Diaspora to develop ideas about how to organise and campaign against public sector cuts. The seminar will look at workplace and community issues. Interested?
Please email equality@pcs.org.uk or ring the Equality Department on 0207 801 2683 for more information.
Please note the closing date for application is Friday 30 September 2011.
The application form can be found here.
Event Contact:
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah
Tel: 020 7801 2683
This year’s seminar will be held in Liverpool at the Adelphi Hotel, the theme is the ‘Public Sector Cuts – The Impact: Resistance and Fight Back.’
The seminar presents an opportunity for PCS members from the African & Asian Diaspora to develop ideas about how to organise and campaign against public sector cuts. The seminar will look at workplace and community issues. Interested?
Please email equality@pcs.org.uk or ring the Equality Department on 0207 801 2683 for more information.
Please note the closing date for application is Friday 30 September 2011.
The application form can be found here.
Event Contact:
Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah
Tel: 020 7801 2683
1.7.11
Civil Service Wide Overtime Ban Throughout July
The purpose of this post is to inform members that the well supported strike action on the 30th of June 2011 is to be followed by a Civil Service wide overtime ban.PCS has done everything possible to negotiate a solution to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, the Pay Freeze, and our Pensions however to date there has not been an acceptable outcome from the Government.
We have already witnessed over two thousand job losses from the Fylde economy due to the job cuts in the area and even more are now in jeopardy, we have seen our pay frozen (and unlike other areas of the Public Sector our Pay Progression isn’t separately funded meaning that we are treated even more unfairly than other public servants), our Pensions are under attack (we are being expected to pay more for our pensions, work longer and receive less) and our redundancy terms are being cut so that it is cheaper to get rid of us.
We are being asked to pay for the financial mess created by the bankers and the financial speculators and spivs, with our jobs, our pay, our pensions and our conditions of service. The financial mess was none of our making. It’s their financial mess make them pay for it.
It is time for members to show that they oppose the notion of being forced to pay for the excesses of the spivs.
Our reasonable demands are:
- No detrimental changes to our pensions and our redundancy payments
- Application and strengthening on the protocols to avoid redundancy
- An end to the pay freeze and a fair pay rise for all members
SUPPORT THE CIVIL SERVICE WIDE OVERTIME BAN THROUGHOUT JULY 2011
30.6.11
Minister's snub to bereaved families
The government's health and safety minister has refused to meet with representatives of the families of people killed at work. Employment minister Chris Grayling, who pushed through unprecedented funding cuts to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and demanded a dramatic reduction in proactive enforcement by the safety watchdog, has rejected requests for a meeting from Families Against Corporate Killing (FACK), to hear their views about his workplace safety strategy.
The group, which was founded by relatives of those killed at work, said in snubbing them the minister has exposed his intention to 'ease the burden on employers' without taking account of the far greater burden borne by families and the public purse as a result of criminal health and safety failings at work. FACK first wrote to Mr Grayling on 6 May to request an audience, arguing that 'there seems to have been no attempt to contact, involve or consult those harmed by work - injured and made ill - or the families of those killed by gross negligence.'
In response the minister said that he regretted that 'diary commitments mean I am unable to meet with you at the current time'. He has found time for meetings with other organisations, including business groups - and told campaigners including FACK members who doorstepped him at the DWP HQ on Workers' Memorial Day 'my door is always open'.
FACK founder Linzi Herbertson said: 'FACK families are utterly disgusted with Chris Grayling's refusal to meet with us about the effects of the cuts he is proposing to the already inadequate health and safety system which allowed people we love to be killed just for going to work.' She added that the minister was more interested in 'listening to the false accounting of the business lobby.'
The group, which was founded by relatives of those killed at work, said in snubbing them the minister has exposed his intention to 'ease the burden on employers' without taking account of the far greater burden borne by families and the public purse as a result of criminal health and safety failings at work. FACK first wrote to Mr Grayling on 6 May to request an audience, arguing that 'there seems to have been no attempt to contact, involve or consult those harmed by work - injured and made ill - or the families of those killed by gross negligence.'
In response the minister said that he regretted that 'diary commitments mean I am unable to meet with you at the current time'. He has found time for meetings with other organisations, including business groups - and told campaigners including FACK members who doorstepped him at the DWP HQ on Workers' Memorial Day 'my door is always open'.
FACK founder Linzi Herbertson said: 'FACK families are utterly disgusted with Chris Grayling's refusal to meet with us about the effects of the cuts he is proposing to the already inadequate health and safety system which allowed people we love to be killed just for going to work.' She added that the minister was more interested in 'listening to the false accounting of the business lobby.'
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