PCS Latest News

I’m back at work this week. The weather outside is bright and breezy. I’m not. Here is the latest news. Pay Please, please, please SIGN THE PCS PETITION. Do it NOW. Ask your colleagues to sign, ask your friends to sign, ask your family to sign. Drag the government to the negotiating table. Flexi Credit The credit for those working in the office has been extended to August following lobbying by PCS. See here for details. Reopening Jobcentres The plans are in place to extend the service offered in Jobcentres in Leicester and Leicestershire. PCS still have concerns at national level and locally about a number of issues including spit screens. PCS advice is still to not volunteer to work face to face. If your Jobcentre plans to open please contact PCS to ensure that the process has been followed and concerns of members addressed. We need to know all the problems and potential problems so we can try and get mitigations put in place. Extended Working Hours in Jobcentres PCS advice is here. If the process is not happening correctly please contact your rep. PCS is consulting members based in Jobcentres as we do not believe it is safe to do so at this time. Please see the PCS web site for details. We understand that the three city sites will be the only Jobcentres in Leicestershire to which this will apply. Please have a discussion with your rep if you have any concerns. This can include travel, caring responsibilities, managing disabilities and health conditions, etc. We have considerable experience of helping members and managing this change in the CMG centre in Leicester. Initial 1-2-1s and preferences should be taking place. This is to establish what you are able to do and what your preferences are. You do not have to artificially fit in to any particular pattern at this stage – that comes later if needed. Overseas Travel and Quarantine PCS has negotiated some improvements to the DWP policy. If you have travel abroad booked please read the PCS advice here and DWP policy here (see update 14/08/20). If you have any questions please talk to your union rep and/or your line manager as soon as possible. Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination PCS reps have had some discussions with a number of members on this issue. Please talk to us if you have any experience of being bullied or experiencing bullying. We will talk in confidence and support you if you wish to take out a complaint. BAME Risk Assessments Initial numbers suggest that uptake is lower than expected so far. The process is here. If you are BAME or if you manage BAME staff please read the procedure. We strongly recommend that managers encourage their BAME staff to have this risk assessment. The PCS update on BAME risk assessments is attached. And join the DWP Black Members network if you identify as BAME. The form is also attached. JOIN PCS 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. Availability of reps We now have more reps available to help members but for obvious safety reasons this will be, in many cases, done by e-mail, phone and Skype. Our reps will also be taking their summer leave. We have 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. PCS National News PCS News in DWP The branch blog, www.pcsdwpleicestershire.blogspot.co.uk. 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. For those of you with children receiving exam results I hope it went OK, in spite of the shambles and changes of policy. Stay safe, drive down the coronavirus infection rate and help to get us out of lockdown. And whatever you are doing make a difference. Chris Willars Branch Secretary PCS DWP