It was announced yesterday that
lockdown would last for another three weeks. It could be longer. As a union
representing key workers we support the aim of getting benefit to people who
would otherwise not have enough to live on. But this cannot be at a cost to the
health, safety and welfare of our members. If we do it correctly we can have
both.
Here is the latest news.
Coronavirus
We have negotiated special policies
for coronavirus. Guidance is here.
PCS
continues to negotiate on behalf of members both locally and nationally.
I
managed to persuade a friend to drop off some doughnuts donated to key workers
by Krispy Kreme. Sadly this was only to our largest site in Wellington Street.
I am also arguing for discounts for DWP staff as key workers when I hear about
offers from take away restaurants, etc.
If
anyone had a doughnut please let me know what it was like. As someone who is
working from home I didn’t get one.
As
key workers there is a challenging amount of work with an aspiration of a high
rate of claims clearance. Hopefully managers are coming out to staff to ask
what help support and processes need to be in place to help to make this
happen.
Overtime
rates have been increased following PCS pressure. The details must be on SOP
and approved by 17:30 today for it to be included in pay received at the end of
today. Your manager cannot approve it if they have gone home already so do it
now or wait until May. Managers are members too and also under pressure to hit
targets and manage the crisis. Please make it easy on them and each other by
not asking the impossible.
PCS
has negotiated improvements for members with children. Please read the attached
for details if you have children.
If
your colleagues are on unpaid special leave for childcare please let them know.
If you manage staff in that situation please read the circular and reconsider
the decision to not award special leave with pay.
The
chances of being able to work from home are now improved. See attached for
details.
If you have concerns please get in
touch with your rep if they are in work or send an e-mail to the shared
mailbox.
Please stay up to date by reading
PCS circulars and looking at information on the intranet. It’s worth joining
the branch Facebook group for updates circulars and discussion. See below for
details of how to join the Facebook group.
AND REMEMBER in times of crisis it is more important than ever
to join a union. Ask all your colleagues, friends and relations to join a union
and if any of your colleagues are members but don’t get this e-mail ask them to
e-mail me and ask to be put on the list.
Clap for Carers
The event still goes on. It is
important that we remember that clapping is not enough. Some front line key
workers are still not receiving the PPE that they require and we all deserve a
decent pay rise. A badge doesn’t stop the disease from spreading. Actions speak
louder than words (or clapping).
Keeping Healthy
I hope that people are keeping well
and following the advice to try and avoid catching coronavirus.
But there are other health
considerations. It is a good idea to try and maintain some physical exercise if
you are able to. I have been walking round in circles in my garden while I am
on telekits to get some physical exercise.
And look after your mental health.
Some people are starting to be affected by the isolation and frustration of
being at home. And possibly worse is the staff left in the offices with half or
even more not at work. In Jobcentres in particular I have had reports of
members under huge pressure trying to set up UC claims as quickly as possible
to help the public survive. The new aspiration to clear 20 claims a day is
clearly to help those most in need but it needs to be managed in a supportive
rather than a punitive manner. You can only do what you can do. If you are a
line manager please look after your staff and yourself. We are all feeling the
strain.
There is a lot of advice on the
internet and intranet about how to help manage your stress. And make use of the
annual leave provisions that we now have. Please note that the rules
changed this week for staff who are working and for those on special leave.
Please make sure that you are up to date with this. Don’t do too much and burn
out. This won’t help you, the business, the public, or your colleagues.
Overtime
PCS has approved the use of overtime
in a number of areas. We know that we have a big job on to try and get money to
those most in need. PCS has negotiated enhanced rates of overtime including for
part-time workers. But please don’t do too much. You need to look after your
own physical and mental health. And remember that overtime is ALWAYS voluntary.
Availability of reps
As well as me working
from home a number of our reps are at home for medical reasons. And next week
we have even fewer in work due to leave over Easter. The remaining reps are
negotiating with management and members about coronavirus and keeping people
safe. We have now set up regular communications with managers at CMG site level
and Jobcentre District level feeding in issues from reps and members who are at
home and those in work as we still represent all of our members.
Please be patient at
this time. We ask managers to defer HR issues where possible so as to enable
managers, staff, and reps can concentrate on safety and business continuity.
The following is now in
the coronavirus guidance:
You should be flexible and practicable
in applying deadlines in any procedures, not just Grievance. Your discretion
should be applied, based on the circumstances, to allow reasonable additional
time for things to get done in the current situation. This might apply to
deadlines for submitting grievances, notice of meetings and time allowed for
trade union reps. or note-takers to be obtained. To the greatest extend
possible, travel between sites for meetings should be avoided, with
participants expected to agree telephone, VC or Skype meetings.
PCS
Branch Reps
There is a list of reps on the Branch Blog. Please find out your
local one. If you don’t have one on site why not volunteer?
PCS Records
It’s a good idea to
make sure that your details are correct, both to comply with GDPR and so that
PCS can contact you. You
can use
the update function, here and or log on to the PCS web site to
register or check and update your details. If you cannot update your
details please get in touch.
If you get an e-mail,
a text, or a call from PCS to check your details and ask about your
participation it is genuine. Please say hello from me and help our PCS team.
Communications
It is essential that
members know what is going on in the union. Please talk to your colleagues and
your nearest rep (if you have one on site). There is also information of the
web sites. If you register as above you will receive information about
campaigns and what is going on in PCS.
Recruitment
The more members we
have the stronger we are. We are planning an extra push on recruitment.
If your colleagues are
not members ask them to join. If they don’t receive these e-mails ask them to
drop me a line and I’ll put them on my distribution list.
Facebook
PCS also has a
national and local branch Facebook page but you cannot view these on DWP
equipment. Log on to your Facebook account and search for PCS DWP
Leicestershire Branch. If you are not a recognisable member of the branch
you won’t be added so let me know your real name if you use an alias on
Facebook.
Other News
Other news is, as usual, on the relevant web site.
How to get help with a personal case
Please follow the
instruction on the branch blog. Do NOT contact me personally or
it may slow down your case. DO NOT SEND THE FORM TO THE PCS LEGAL E-MAIL ADDRESS.
In order for us to effectively negotiate on your behalf please let
us know of the issues in your workplace by replying to our PCS branch mailbox
or by clicking reply to this e-mail.
Ramadan
starts on Wednesday. It’s a time of fasting, contemplation and charitable
deeds. This year it seems especially apt if all non-Muslims join in with the
latter two as well.
Thursday
is St George’s Day. The day is cause to celebrate England and Englishness. It
does remind me that part of the Englishness is that we are a very connected,
multi-cultural country. St George was a roman soldier of Greek origin born in
Turkey and is also patron saint of Ethiopia, Georgia, Catalonia and several
other nation states.
Whatever
you are doing make a difference.
Watch
out for my e-mail next Friday.
Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch
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