I have had fish & chips at the seaside & am now travelling home so here's what went on in the guillotine section.
All the motions were carried.
Emergency motion A614 calls for support for reps sacked from CSA Hastings. There have been five branch officers a number of other reps in the last two and a half years. The current branch secretary is awaiting the outcome of his case but has been told off the record that he is also sacked. The management at the office, however, think that it is OK for a BNP council candidate to continue in employment.
Motion A78 is calling for an equality impact assessment on PCS subscriptions as there is an upper limit for better paid members. The NEC will report back next year.
Motion A68 refers to the writ to arrest Tzipi Livni, the former Israeli Foreign Minister, for war crimes. It calls for a campaign to prevent a change in the law.
Motion A46 calls for a campaign to get our young members to help progress the TUC's trade unionism into schools campaign.
Motion A96 calls for a PCS Employment Tribunal Unit to be set up to offer advice, support and representation to members.
Motion A137 calls for all telephone numbers for the services provided by our members to the public be changed to 0800.
That was all we had time for.
I'll be back at work on Monday. If you have any questions please get in touch.
Friday 21 May 2010
Close of Conference
That's all except the vote of thanks.
It's a shame that I don't have time to give more of a flavour of conference, the banter, the comradeship, some passionate speeches, some dull but worthy speakers and some downright bonkers speakers.
I also didn't have time to cover the fringe meetings and the networking that went on.
Overall conference is a tiring but hugely inspiring experience and I would encourage members to come along.
Update on the guillotine section to follow.
It's a shame that I don't have time to give more of a flavour of conference, the banter, the comradeship, some passionate speeches, some dull but worthy speakers and some downright bonkers speakers.
I also didn't have time to cover the fringe meetings and the networking that went on.
Overall conference is a tiring but hugely inspiring experience and I would encourage members to come along.
Update on the guillotine section to follow.
Taxation of Redundancy Pay
Motion A126 calls for an increase in the redundancy tax threshold from £30000.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Co-operatives
Motion A125 calls for a plan on workers democracy to be drawn up.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Pensions
Motion A124 calls for protection of pensions both state pension and occupational pensions.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Anti Trade Union Laws
Motion A144 calls for a campaign against anti trade union laws.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Tobin Tax
Motion A123 calls for the introduction of a Tobin tax, which is a very small percentage on all transactions by merchant banks.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Wealth Tax
Motion A122 calls for a 10% wealth tax on all millionaires and a proper progressive tax system.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Anti Fascist Campaign
Emergency motion A629 calls for support for anti fascist campaign groups and to campaign against the BNP and the English Defence League.
Motion A121 was heard as part of the same debate. It calls for a ban on BNP members as civil servants and for more information on anti fascist campaigning.
Both motions were carried.
Motion A121 was heard as part of the same debate. It calls for a ban on BNP members as civil servants and for more information on anti fascist campaigning.
Both motions were carried.
Free Public Transport
Motion A120 calls for free public transport to get people out of cars.
This has happened in some places in the past.
This motion was carried.
This has happened in some places in the past.
This motion was carried.
Climate Change
Motion A117 calls for continued sustainability talks, support for the Climate Solidarity project and to work with Campaign Against Climate Change.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Vestas Dispute
Motion A116 called for continuing support for the Vestas dispute, the only British company making wind turbines.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Environmental Issues
Motion A115 calls for the NEC to campaign on environmental
issues and appoint more environmental reps in branches.
This motion was carried.
issues and appoint more environmental reps in branches.
This motion was carried.
Working Hours
Motion A114 calls for a reduction of the working week to 35 hours with no loss of pay, as a step to moving to a 4 day week.
This would increase jobs and improve work life balance.
This motion was carried.
This would increase jobs and improve work life balance.
This motion was carried.
Annual Leave
Motion A111 calls for an increase in annual leave to 35 days per year irrespective of grade or length of service.
This motion was remitted as it will be a diversion from the pay campaign.
Motion A112 calls for 35 days after 25 years.
This was lost as it discriminates against younger members and is probably unlawful under age discrimination legislation.
This motion was remitted as it will be a diversion from the pay campaign.
Motion A112 calls for 35 days after 25 years.
This was lost as it discriminates against younger members and is probably unlawful under age discrimination legislation.
Flexible Pay on Recruitment
Motion A110 calls for opposition to people being recruited at the top of the pay scale rather than the bottom.
I don't believe that this happens in DWP.
This motion was carried
I don't believe that this happens in DWP.
This motion was carried
National Pay
Motion A109 calls for a campaign to return to national pay. It also calls for co-ordinated action across groups and trying to co-ordinate action across the whole public sector.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Thursday 20 May 2010
End of Day 2
That's it for day 2 of National conference.
A mixed bag of some campaigning stuff and lots of internal union stuff.
I'll take it easy and be back tomorrow.
The stuff in the guillotine section is likely to be too quick for me to blog it as it goes but I will catch up as soon as I can.
A mixed bag of some campaigning stuff and lots of internal union stuff.
I'll take it easy and be back tomorrow.
The stuff in the guillotine section is likely to be too quick for me to blog it as it goes but I will catch up as soon as I can.
Electronic Submission of Conference Details
Motion A94 calls for a review of the rules so that all conference details can be submitted electronically.
This was carried.
This was carried.
Nominating Branches on Election Addresses
Motion A93 calls for the names of nominating branches to not be included on election addresses.
The motion was lost.
The motion was lost.
Facilities for Lay Tutors
Motion A92 calls for Lay Tutors on PCS training courses to be Union Learning Reps which means that ULR time is available.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Facilities for Pay Negotiators
Motion A91 calls for an increase in facility time for branches which have to negotiate on pay.
The motion was remitted as a blanket increase of 10% may not be appropriate.
The motion was remitted as a blanket increase of 10% may not be appropriate.
Transfer of Negotiating Rights
Motion A90 calls for negotiating rights to not be transferred to another union without consultation with the members.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Co-ordination of action
Motion A88 calls for the regional committee to co-ordinate action where multi occupied sites are threatened with closed.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Full Time Officer Pay
Motion A87 calls for PCS to start negotiations with GMB to ensure that PCS full time officers pay is much closer to that of the majority of the members.
This was lost as it was felt that PCS should not as an employer ask for pay cuts of its staff.
This was lost as it was felt that PCS should not as an employer ask for pay cuts of its staff.
Reserved Seats
Motion A86 calls for an investigation into numbers of under represented groups and for the NEC to come up with proposals for conference next year.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Serial Leavers
Motion A85 calls for an investigation of a cooling off period during which access to the full range of support and services is not available to people who join and, when we have solved their problem, leave again.
This motion was remitted as the wording was confusing.
This motion was remitted as the wording was confusing.
Hotel Bookings
Motion A77 calls for PCS to investigate using a hotel booking service so that low paid reps don't have to find money for hotels and then wait until expenses are paid when they have to stay away from home on PCS business.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Venezuela Solidarity Campaign
Motion A71 calls for affiliation to the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign.
It was discussed with motion A72 which calls for disaffiliation with the Hands Off Venezuela campaign.
A71 was carried so A72 fell.
It was discussed with motion A72 which calls for disaffiliation with the Hands Off Venezuela campaign.
A71 was carried so A72 fell.
Right to Work Campaign
Motion A70 calls for PCS to actually affiliate to the Right to Work Campaign.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Afghanistan
Motion A67 calls for the NEC to campaign for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Greek Workers
Emergency motion A622 calls for full support for Greek Trade Unions in their struggle against pay reductions and job cuts.
I can't see any more obvious parallel to our situation when the proposed £6bn cuts start to bite.
The motion was carried.
I can't see any more obvious parallel to our situation when the proposed £6bn cuts start to bite.
The motion was carried.
Workplace Temperature
Motion A65 calls for us to monitor high temperatures to use in campaigning.
The motion was remitted as it would be very expensive and time consuming to collect data when we just need to campaign.
The motion was remitted as it would be very expensive and time consuming to collect data when we just need to campaign.
BA Dispute
It has just been anounced to a huge cheer that Unite won their appeal against the ruling that their strike vote was illegal.
Managing Stress
Motion A64 calls on the NEC to lobby for Health & Safety legislation on stress.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Crown Immunity
Motion A63 calls for the removal of Crown Immunity which mean that civil service employers can be exempt from certain laws.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Speeding Up Debate
Motion A60 calls for there to be no debate if there is no opposition.
The motion was lost as it is sometimes is useful to bring personal experience and let branches who are involved in the issue give a local flavour.
The motion was lost as it is sometimes is useful to bring personal experience and let branches who are involved in the issue give a local flavour.
Election of Member Trustees
Motion A58 calls for the election of member trustees.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Subscriptions
Motion A56 calls for the cap on subscriptions for higher paid members to be removed by having a common subscription rate of 0.6% for everyone.
The motion was lost as it did not specify a reduction in subs for lower paid members.
Our delegation voted in favour.
The motion was lost as it did not specify a reduction in subs for lower paid members.
Our delegation voted in favour.
Victimisation of PCS Reps
Motion A44 brings attention to the victimisation of a Land Registration rep, Jane Brooke.
It calls for reinstatement.
This motion was carried.
It calls for reinstatement.
This motion was carried.
Selection of Candidates
Motion A43 suggests a method of selecting candidates if PCS chooses to.
The mandating meeting instructed us to vote against as it is too restrictive and could result in very few members having a vote.
The motion was remitted as if the previous motion was carried this issue should be part of the review and if not it is a complete waste of time.
The mandating meeting instructed us to vote against as it is too restrictive and could result in very few members having a vote.
The motion was remitted as if the previous motion was carried this issue should be part of the review and if not it is a complete waste of time.
Standing PCS Candidates in Elections
Motions A40 were all discussed together.
This motion enables firm proposals for standing candidates at elections.
The view of the mandating meeting was that they saw no scenario where candidates would stand and it could be very expensive for PCS.
The issue is contentious so a card vote was called.
A card vote is where each branch has a card with the number of members in that branch. These numbers are then added together to give the result of the vote.
We have now voted. The result will come later when the maths has been done.
This motion enables firm proposals for standing candidates at elections.
The view of the mandating meeting was that they saw no scenario where candidates would stand and it could be very expensive for PCS.
The issue is contentious so a card vote was called.
A card vote is where each branch has a card with the number of members in that branch. These numbers are then added together to give the result of the vote.
We have now voted. The result will come later when the maths has been done.
Wednesday 19 May 2010
End of Business
That's it for the day.
We seem to have covered a lot.
The highlight for me was John McDonnell.
Time for some rest & recuperation for me.
I'll be back tomorrow.
We seem to have covered a lot.
The highlight for me was John McDonnell.
Time for some rest & recuperation for me.
I'll be back tomorrow.
Apprentices
Emergency motion A585 calls for opposition to apprentiships as they are used for work on the cheap.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
National Carers' Strategy
Motion A33 called for a carers strategy to be negotiated with the employer.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Fast Stream Process
Motion A32 calls for the scrapping of the fast stream policy that gets people to top of the civil service quickly. This is because it favours white middle class males.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Sickness Dismissal
Motion A320 calls for opposition to sackings for people who are sick.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Medical Retirement
Motion A31 calls for a shorter and fairer process for getting medical retirement.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Confidentiality on Redundancy Details
Some private sector employers make redundancy details confidential so they can't discuss this.
Motion A30 calls on negotiators to reject this so it can be discussed with the members.
The motion was remitted as the motions asks us to not respond to employers who made details confidential. This could result in no negotiations with management.
Motion A30 calls on negotiators to reject this so it can be discussed with the members.
The motion was remitted as the motions asks us to not respond to employers who made details confidential. This could result in no negotiations with management.
Outsourcing
Motion A29 calls on outsourcing companies to adhere to terms and conditions and the minimum wage where they move work abroad.
The motion was remitted as it confuses outsourcing and off shoring.
The motion was remitted as it confuses outsourcing and off shoring.
Balfour Beattie Workplace
Motion A28 instructs the NEC to negotiate a proper pay structure for BBW staff (formerly Haden, formerly DWP staff).
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Off Shoring
Motion A27 opposes off shoring (moving jobs abroad at low wages).
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Tier 2 Visas
Motion A26 opposes inshoring, which is where a company claims there is no one who can do the job and so can bring someone in on a Tier 2 visa and undercut pay of existing employees.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Organising Facilities Management Staff
Motion A25 calls for PCS to organise FM staff such as cleaners, security guards, catering staff, etc.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Annual Report on Inequalities
Motion A19 calls on the NEC to produce an annual report which pulls together data about promotion rates, etc. and use this for campaigning and negotiations.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Equality and Performance Related Pay
Motion A18 says that PRP is discriminatory and calls on the NEC to pursue legal and political challenges including lodging complaints to the Equality & Human Rights Commission.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
TUC Pensioners Committee
Motion A17 calls on the TUC to ensure that it's pensioners committee meets regularly.
The motion was remitted as the pensioners committee had met and was not the leading body of the TUC which takes forward the pensions campaign.
The motion was remitted as the pensioners committee had met and was not the leading body of the TUC which takes forward the pensions campaign.
Access to Work
Motion A277 calls for a return to using Access to Work staff for reasonable adjustments.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Censure Motion
Motion A15 is a censure motion. This is a slap on the wrist for the NEC.
The censure was because the movers felt that a campaign had not happened as a result of a motion on equality carried last year.
Conference did not not agree and the motion was lost.
The censure was because the movers felt that a campaign had not happened as a result of a motion on equality carried last year.
Conference did not not agree and the motion was lost.
Inequality
Motion A14 calls for the NEC to raise awareness of the study by Wilkinson & Pickett on inequality.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Equality Proofing PCS Services
Motion A13 calls for equality proofing of the services we provide as a union.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Equality Networks
Motion A12 calls for management and PCS to ensure that paid time off is available for members to attend equality network meetings.
The motion was carried.
The motion was carried.
Guest Speaker
The guest speaker was John McDonnell, the chair of the PCS parliamentary group and potential left wing candidate for Labour Party leader.
It was inspiring stuff.
It was filmed for TV so clips may be on the news tonight.
It was inspiring stuff.
It was filmed for TV so clips may be on the news tonight.
Compensation Payments for Disabled Staff
Motion A9 calls for equal payments under CSCS to disabled staff partly employed by a charity.
This reduces their compensation considerably.
This motion was carried.
This reduces their compensation considerably.
This motion was carried.
Compensation for loss of earnings when striking
Emergency motion A660 calls for pay to be reinstated to members who came out on strike in the CSCS dispute.
It is unlikely to succeed (to say the least) but it makes a point.
The motion was carried.
It is unlikely to succeed (to say the least) but it makes a point.
The motion was carried.
Civil Service Pensions
Motion A8 calls for opposition to any attacks on our pensions.
We won on pensions before, and there are no current specific proposals from the government, but it would not surprise anyone if this would happen.
We need to be ready.
The motion was carried.
We won on pensions before, and there are no current specific proposals from the government, but it would not surprise anyone if this would happen.
We need to be ready.
The motion was carried.
Civil Sevice Compensation Scheme
A presentation was made on the judgement.
There is now hard work to do on negotiating.
Emergency motion A647 sets out the terms of those negotiations.
This motion was carried.
There is now hard work to do on negotiating.
Emergency motion A647 sets out the terms of those negotiations.
This motion was carried.
Protecting Public Services-the rest of the motions
There is a bit of a go slow on my phone so here are the rest of the motions in the section.
Motion A4 calls for opposition to ID cards
Motion A5 calls for increased job security where staff are transferred to the private sector.
Motion A6 calls for an end to contracts such as that for booking travel which only end up costing more than if people booked for themselves.
All three motions were carried.
Motion A4 calls for opposition to ID cards
Motion A5 calls for increased job security where staff are transferred to the private sector.
Motion A6 calls for an end to contracts such as that for booking travel which only end up costing more than if people booked for themselves.
All three motions were carried.
Protecting Public Services 4
Motion A3 mirrors the new DWP policies of opposition to office closures, job cuts and the move to contact centres.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Protecting Public Services 3
Emergency motion A611 condemns the move to a new organisation for learning across the civil service with no PCS involvement.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Protecting Public Services 2
Emergency motion A609 calls for concerns to be raised about already privatised work in HMRC being offshored (done abroad).
The motion only calls for scrutiny of the pilot but I would prefer outright opposition.
The motion was carried.
The motion only calls for scrutiny of the pilot but I would prefer outright opposition.
The motion was carried.
Protecting Public Services
Motion A1 launches a campaign against cuts & ensures that we organise & campaign effectively. It also calls for a campaign with the TUC & other public sector trade unions.
This appears to be very close to the policy we agreed at our mandating meeting.
Emergency motion A642 was also discussed in this section. It gives more detail on how to build a public sector alliance.
Both motions were carried.
Motion A2 is therefore not heard. This called for PCS to suggest areas for management to cut. This madness is like turkeys voting for Christmas.
This appears to be very close to the policy we agreed at our mandating meeting.
Emergency motion A642 was also discussed in this section. It gives more detail on how to build a public sector alliance.
Both motions were carried.
Motion A2 is therefore not heard. This called for PCS to suggest areas for management to cut. This madness is like turkeys voting for Christmas.
National Conference Starts
Conference starts with welcomes & moving the annual report.
We have voted for the Left Unity candidates as instructed by the mandating meeting.
Now for the motions (I believe that you can read the full text of the motions on the PCS web site)
We have voted for the Left Unity candidates as instructed by the mandating meeting.
Now for the motions (I believe that you can read the full text of the motions on the PCS web site)
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Fraud Vacancies
You may have seen the vacancies on fraud for various locations around the region.
If successful, FTA staff would be made permanent.
PCS welcomed this.
It has now come to my attention that national management have withdrawn the vacancies just days before the closing date.
My feelings on this are perhaps best not published on the blog.
If successful, FTA staff would be made permanent.
PCS welcomed this.
It has now come to my attention that national management have withdrawn the vacancies just days before the closing date.
My feelings on this are perhaps best not published on the blog.
End of DWP Group Conference
It has taken me until Wednesday morning to complete my update but I have done it now.
The DWP conference is now over and we move on to the national agenda.
Given the new government everyone is predicting a hard fight but, if we stand firm, we can win.
The DWP conference is now over and we move on to the national agenda.
Given the new government everyone is predicting a hard fight but, if we stand firm, we can win.
Guillotine Section
This part of the agenda is to hear motions that there was not enough time to hear earlier in the conference.
The motions are heard very quickly so I am doing this after conference has finished.
All motions were carried except two which were remitted. This means that the GEC will take on the spirit of the motion but there is a problem with the wording or a clause in the motion that would mean that if it were put to a vote it would be lost.
Motion A151 calls for the special leave guidance to include witnesses and plaintiffs required to attend court
Motion A153 calls for casual staff to be made permanent. This was remitted as PCS should only argue this if they were recruited in a fair and open exercise.
Motion A154 calls for better awareness of reasonable adjustments and for better policies about the new fit notes.
Motion A157 calls for paid time off for Right Core Care appointments during normal working hours.
Motion A159 calls for an end to revised service hours where that causes divisions in the workforce.
Motion A60 calls for facility time for Branch Equality Officers.
Motion A232 calls for a review of the way overpayments of salary are recovered from RM. This motion was remitted as it calls for arrangements to be made through the line manager which could be worse for some members than the current system.
Motion A240 calls for an independant audit of Lean in PDCS as we don't believe it delivers savings.
Motion A242 calls for all calls from the public to be made free of charge.
Motion A22 calls for job design and working coditions to be improved in Contact Centres as these cause high levels of sick absence and turnover.
Motion A61 calls for the GEC to scrap the agreement to record facility time on RM and come up with a better system.
The motions are heard very quickly so I am doing this after conference has finished.
All motions were carried except two which were remitted. This means that the GEC will take on the spirit of the motion but there is a problem with the wording or a clause in the motion that would mean that if it were put to a vote it would be lost.
Motion A151 calls for the special leave guidance to include witnesses and plaintiffs required to attend court
Motion A153 calls for casual staff to be made permanent. This was remitted as PCS should only argue this if they were recruited in a fair and open exercise.
Motion A154 calls for better awareness of reasonable adjustments and for better policies about the new fit notes.
Motion A157 calls for paid time off for Right Core Care appointments during normal working hours.
Motion A159 calls for an end to revised service hours where that causes divisions in the workforce.
Motion A60 calls for facility time for Branch Equality Officers.
Motion A232 calls for a review of the way overpayments of salary are recovered from RM. This motion was remitted as it calls for arrangements to be made through the line manager which could be worse for some members than the current system.
Motion A240 calls for an independant audit of Lean in PDCS as we don't believe it delivers savings.
Motion A242 calls for all calls from the public to be made free of charge.
Motion A22 calls for job design and working coditions to be improved in Contact Centres as these cause high levels of sick absence and turnover.
Motion A61 calls for the GEC to scrap the agreement to record facility time on RM and come up with a better system.
DWP Union Learning Agreement
Emergency Motion 10 endorses the decision to accept the new agreement.
Although probably not as good as the old one, having no agreement and with a new government coming in who have a stated aim of abolishing ULRs, this was the better option.
This motion was carried.
Although probably not as good as the old one, having no agreement and with a new government coming in who have a stated aim of abolishing ULRs, this was the better option.
This motion was carried.
CMEC Organisation
Motion A290 calls for the facilities given to PCS reps in CMEC to be protected and for CMEC members to remain part of DWP group.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Young Members
Motion A287 calls for a young members training event to become an annual event.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Recruitment
Motion A285 calls for a continued recruitment campaign.
As a minimum we should ask non-members to join.
This motion was carried.
As a minimum we should ask non-members to join.
This motion was carried.
Public Sector Spending Cuts
Emergency Motion 13 instructs the GEC to use all means possible to resist adverse effects of job cuts, office closures, etc.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Staff Safety in Outreach Sites
Motion A207 calls for Health & Safety to be at least as good in outreach sites as in Jobcentres.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Staff Safety
Motion A206 calls for a campaign to remind staff of the UCB policy and the need to report all incidents.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Contact Centre Reasonable Adjustments
Motion A205a calls for the GEC to review reasonable adjustments so local reps know what options are available.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Contact Centre Health & Safety
Motion A199 calls for the restoration of baseline and regular hearing tests and carry out proper risk assessments to reduce the incidence of acoustic shocks.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
PDCS Grading
Motion A143 calls on the GEC to campaign on the grading of decision making which should be Returned to the EO grade.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Telephony
Motion A134 opposes the Genesis workforce planning tool (& similar tools) which can cause staff to lose breaks.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Statutory Annual Leave
Motion A133 calls on the European Court of Justice decision on carry over of annual leave to be implemented.
The ruling was that a carry over of 20 days should apply where a person has been off work on sick leave.
This motion was carried.
The ruling was that a carry over of 20 days should apply where a person has been off work on sick leave.
This motion was carried.
Disciplinary Procedures & the ACAS Code of Practice
Motion A130 calls for the disciplinary procedures to fall into line with the ACAS code of practice.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Disciplinary Policies
Motion A128 calls for improvements to the policy which is not consistant and too often overly harsh.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Discipline and Security
Motion A120 seeks to amend the disciplinary procedures on breaches of information security so that staff are not punished for simple human error.
This motion is from our sister branch in PDCS and was heard at our AGM.
This motion was carried.
This motion is from our sister branch in PDCS and was heard at our AGM.
This motion was carried.
Flexible Working Hours in CMEC
Emergency Motion 9 calls for management to implement the agreement on FWH reached with CMEC management. It appears that in some locations management have refused to do this.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
CMEC Terms and Conditions
Motion A114 calls for management to improve terms and conditions including full access to flexi time, getting rid of PDS appraisal system, etc.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Call Centres in DWP and CMEC
Motion A102 calls for an end to the extension of a telephony model of service, an end to a two tier workforce and the retension of a mixture of telephony and other work.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Flexi Time in PDCS
Motion A101 calls for the alignment of conditions following the merger of The Pensions Service and The Disability and Carers Service.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Christmas Credit
Motion A97 calls for the award of a half day credit at the beginning of December as it had been for quite a number of years.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Flexible Working
Motion A87 calls for an end to the erosion of flexible working due to various planning tools in contact centres.
This will be more of a problem as TPIP is implemented.
This motion was carried.
This will be more of a problem as TPIP is implemented.
This motion was carried.
Holiday Playschemes
Motion A86 calls for a continued commitment to subsidised playscemes.
We are committed to our local playscheme in Leicester and so supported the motion.
The motion was carried.
We are committed to our local playscheme in Leicester and so supported the motion.
The motion was carried.
Family Friendly Policies
Motion A82 asks for accomodating part time working patterns. Where refused the full reasons should be given rather than just the phrase business reasons.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
AAs
Motion A195a calls for a campaign to retain the AA grade and find meaningful work such as scanning of documents.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Fixed Term Appointments
Emergency Motion 8 calls on a high profile campaign to make FTAs permanent, for all staff to be recruited through fair & open competition & for proper staffing levels to deliver our business.
This is in line with our mandate so our delegation voted in favour.
The motion was carried.
This is in line with our mandate so our delegation voted in favour.
The motion was carried.
Welcome to Day 2
The delegation are up bright & early & keen to go.
Conference will start any minute.
Updates on the motions will follow shortly.
Conference will start any minute.
Updates on the motions will follow shortly.
Monday 17 May 2010
Close of Conference
That's it for today. A very full & tiring but productive day.
Please feel free to post questions or comments on the blog or Facebook. I will check both.
I'll be back tomorrow.
Please feel free to post questions or comments on the blog or Facebook. I will check both.
I'll be back tomorrow.
Distinguished Life Membership
It was agreed to award DLM to a number of members.
Presentations were then made to people who had been nominated last year.
Presentations were then made to people who had been nominated last year.
Employee Relations in CMEC
Motion A59 calls for the adverse changes to the ER framework in CMEC.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Victimisation
Motion A54 calls on the GEC to continue to fully support victimised TU reps and to put in safeguards in the new ER framework.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
KMIs
Motion A231 calls on the GEC to review all KMIs to make them relevant and achievable and for guidance to be issued saying that they are only indicators.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
AAT/KMI
Motion A230 instructs the GEC to amend AAT to record the exact time spent with a customer if that is more or less than the allotted time.
This would show how much time we really take doing interviews.
This motion was carried after much opposition on the basis that we need to abolish it altogether.
Reassurances were strongly given that abolition was still our policy but this could provide useful information for the GEC.
This would show how much time we really take doing interviews.
This motion was carried after much opposition on the basis that we need to abolish it altogether.
Reassurances were strongly given that abolition was still our policy but this could provide useful information for the GEC.
Walsall Pension Centre
Motion A229 instructs the GEC to provide support for the campaign to keep the centre open.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
CMEC
Motion A227 calls for CMEC to be reintegrated in to DWP with full civil service pay & conditions.
This motion was carried.
Emergency Motion EM6 calls for opposition to downgrading under the Fit for the Future programme.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Emergency Motion EM6 calls for opposition to downgrading under the Fit for the Future programme.
This motion was carried.
Pension Service Local Service
Emergency Motion 4 campaigns against job cuts to the local service.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
BNP in DWP/CMEC
Motion A67 instructs the GEC to press management to ban BNP members from employment in DWP as their views are not comparable with delivering services to the public in an impartial manner.
It also calls on PCS to defend reps from disciplinary action for issuing anti BNP literature.
This motion was carried.
It also calls on PCS to defend reps from disciplinary action for issuing anti BNP literature.
This motion was carried.
Must Give a Warning Policy
Motion A270 calls for extended trigger points to be reconsidered only after seeking medical advice and no automatic review of trigger points in all cases.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Attendance Management
Emergency Motion EM3 calls for abolition of consideration points as the sole reason for giving a warning, exclusion of DDA health conditions from the process & abolition of the backsliding period.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Attendance Management
Motion A245 calls on safeguards and rights to be put in place to protect members from harsh attendance management policies.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
Equality Monitoring
Motion A222 calls on management to properly monitor all HR policies such as promotion, discipline, etc. so we can identify discrimination.
The previous motion was about gathering the ethnicity, gender, etc. This motion is about using that data to check that there is no discrimination.
This motion was carried.
The previous motion was about gathering the ethnicity, gender, etc. This motion is about using that data to check that there is no discrimination.
This motion was carried.
Equality Data
Motion A216 calls on management to improve the rates of collection data.
This means that we can identify discrimination where it occurs.
This motion was carried.
This means that we can identify discrimination where it occurs.
This motion was carried.
Working Patterns
Motion A215 calls for a review to make it easier for staff to move to part time and part year working.
This was carried.
This was carried.
Mental Health
Motion A213 calls for improved help to staff with mental health problems and information to reps who are dealing with personal cases.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
London Pay
Motion A51 calls for the anomoly where different rates of pay are paid in one district. Even on occasion sometimes some staff who could be working next to each other.
This motion was carried.
This motion was carried.
DWP Pay Claim 2010
Motion A26 calls for early pay talks, and to campaign for a consultation with branches about campaigning and possible industrial action if neccessary to support our claim.
This was carried.
This was carried.
Mark Serwotka
The General Secretary is ill with a heart complaint and will not be able to attend conference.
We all wish him a speedy recovery.
We all wish him a speedy recovery.
PDCS
Motion A12 on Pensions Disability & Carers Service.
The motion opposes lean & other means to cut jobs & the service delivered.
This was carried.
The motion opposes lean & other means to cut jobs & the service delivered.
This was carried.
Contact Centre Campaign
After the usual introduction stuff we got down to the first big debate.
As predicted there were emergency motions about the campaign.
The first motion was similar to A1.
The point at issue was should we continue talks & then build for action if we need to, or should we ballot individual transformation sites and bring them out on their own when and if they vote for action.
The former position won the day so a united campaign among all staff, current CCD as well as transformation staff will continue.
As predicted there were emergency motions about the campaign.
The first motion was similar to A1.
The point at issue was should we continue talks & then build for action if we need to, or should we ballot individual transformation sites and bring them out on their own when and if they vote for action.
The former position won the day so a united campaign among all staff, current CCD as well as transformation staff will continue.
Sunday 16 May 2010
Good Morning
Due to engineering works it took two train journeys, two bus journeys & a taxi ride to get here.
The delegation arrived weary but safe & sound.
After some refreshment we have slept soundly and are now preparing for conference.
You'll hear from me when I get to the hall.
The delegation arrived weary but safe & sound.
After some refreshment we have slept soundly and are now preparing for conference.
You'll hear from me when I get to the hall.
Thursday 13 May 2010
Mandating Meeting
I attended the branch mandating meeting yesterday.
I was surprised by the turnout - it was standing room only. We will have to book a larger room next year.
The meeting gave a very clear direction to the delegates to support motions to fight cuts in jobs and services.
The meeting felt that PCS should take a lead in fighting for a united campaign across all public sector unions but if we have to go it alone in taking industrial action, we should not wait for the other unions to come on board.
The meeting strongly felt that we should step up our efforts to make the FTAs permanent.
The meeting agreed that, in order to argue the case for a united public sector campaign at the TUC we should support the Left Unity candidates at the elections held at conference.
The delegates were encouraged to support motions to support the TPIP campaign.
The meeting then discussed the proposal to stand PCS candidates in parliamentary elections.
The debate was lively, well considered & intelligent.
The meeting decided to instruct the branch delegates to vote against but there were a significant minority in favour.
To find out what happens at conference keep checking on this blog next week as I will update live from the conference floor.
I was surprised by the turnout - it was standing room only. We will have to book a larger room next year.
The meeting gave a very clear direction to the delegates to support motions to fight cuts in jobs and services.
The meeting felt that PCS should take a lead in fighting for a united campaign across all public sector unions but if we have to go it alone in taking industrial action, we should not wait for the other unions to come on board.
The meeting strongly felt that we should step up our efforts to make the FTAs permanent.
The meeting agreed that, in order to argue the case for a united public sector campaign at the TUC we should support the Left Unity candidates at the elections held at conference.
The delegates were encouraged to support motions to support the TPIP campaign.
The meeting then discussed the proposal to stand PCS candidates in parliamentary elections.
The debate was lively, well considered & intelligent.
The meeting decided to instruct the branch delegates to vote against but there were a significant minority in favour.
To find out what happens at conference keep checking on this blog next week as I will update live from the conference floor.
Tuesday 11 May 2010
Waiting Over
I have been waiting with keen interest for two things.
Firstly, I have been waiting for the result of the judicial review into the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
The result came out yesterday with the result that the changes imposed by the old government were illegal and were therefore set aside. The new government will therefore need to seek agreement with PCS before it can be changed.
As it will be more expensive to make civil servants redundant, our jobs have become just a little more secure.
The other big thing I have been waiting for is the result of the negotiations on forming the next government.
As you will know by now the Tories and the Lib Dems will form a full coalition.
What remains to be seen is if this will result in the best of both parties, the worst or something in between.
My guess is that we will need to hold on to our hats as it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Firstly, I have been waiting for the result of the judicial review into the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
The result came out yesterday with the result that the changes imposed by the old government were illegal and were therefore set aside. The new government will therefore need to seek agreement with PCS before it can be changed.
As it will be more expensive to make civil servants redundant, our jobs have become just a little more secure.
The other big thing I have been waiting for is the result of the negotiations on forming the next government.
As you will know by now the Tories and the Lib Dems will form a full coalition.
What remains to be seen is if this will result in the best of both parties, the worst or something in between.
My guess is that we will need to hold on to our hats as it's going to be a bumpy ride.
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