PCS Latest News

Sorry for the lateness of today’s e-mail. It’s been a very busy week for me. And I could probably have been a little better organised. But mostly because DWP has changed from @dwp.gsi.gov.uk to @dwp.gov.uk and I’ve had to redo all my distribution lists. Remember that the virus has not gone away. We are seeing a second spike in infections. Please keep following the rules to protect the public, your colleagues, your friends, and your family. And despite its shortcomings I strongly recommend that you download the NHS app if you have a suitable smartphone. 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. We have had a fantastic response but we still need more signatures. Coronavirus Outbreaks We have seen Jobcentres shut for short periods and longer periods because of cases and clusters of cases. Please keep you PCS rep informed and we will help to ensure that the process is followed. And remember we must be able to clean properly if the public are coming into the building. If there is no cleaner please make sure that PCS Health & Safety reps are informed immediately so we can give advice. If you have any concerns please get in touch with us. We continue to meet with managers on a regular basis and advocate for the safety of our members. We don’t always achieve everything that we want but we will keep on trying. 18:30 Finishes in Jobcentres I reported on the clarification from National management about this issue a couple of weeks ago in the Friday e-mail. See here for details. I hope that this has been resolved to members satisfaction. If there are still outstanding issues please discuss it with your line manager and if you cannot reach agreement please contact your PCS rep. Festive Leave I attached a circular a couple of weeks ago for the festive leave position in Jobcentres. I would hope that CMG also try and maximise leave over Christmas and the New Year. If you do not think that the policy is being applied correctly please contact you rep or let us know by e-mail. People Survey PCS is encouraging members to complete the survey which is now open. Please answer honestly. See here for further details. The deadline for completing it has been extended to next Tuesday so please do it now if you have not yet completed it. 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. Green Tip of the Week Our branch Green Rep, Donna Pellegrini, will be providing some hints and tips for this e-mail. Here is the first one. Plastic bags are appallingly wasteful, and can be extremely dangerous to the environment. It is believed that only 1-3% of worldwide plastic bags are recycled. This means there is a huge amount of waste, most of which ends up in the oceans. You can read more worrying facts about plastic from Envirosax, but you can also help a great deal by using Earth friendly bags such as paper, or Bags For Life, and recycle any old plastic bags you have lying around. 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. 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. It’s Halloween tomorrow but there should be no trick or treating. And it’s bonfire night next Thursday. It’s a big thing in our house we normally have a dozen or more come round for supper, bonfire and fireworks. But not this year. It will be a maximum of 6. I’ll still enjoy it but it won’t be the same. And although there may be fewer fireworks this year you will still need to keep people and pets safe. Stay safe, look after yourself, and whatever you are doing make a difference. Chris Willars Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch