PCS Latest News

Leicester has now been in local lockdown for over 100 days. That is in addition to the national lockdown. We have been locked down in the city for well over 6 months in total and it sometimes seems like we will never get out. But 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 signature Reopening Jobcentres We achieved some significant concessions last week. See here for details. We still think that management need to make more. We will continue to argue our case. Locally PCS Health & Safety reps are trying to get as many mitigations in place to make your workplace as safe as it can be. For your own safety, the safety of your colleagues and the safety of our customers, please make sure that you strictly adhere to these mitigations. If you have any ideas for improvements or there is a breakdown in procedures (for example cleaners not being available) please report this to your manager and PCS. While PCS advice is still to not volunteer to work face to face the guidance has recently been changed to remove this. Your manager will still need to discuss your concerns with you. If your Jobcentre plans to open further or change working practices 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. PCS will continue to monitor the situation. People Survey PCS is encouraging members to complete the survey which is now open. Please answer honestly. See here for further details. Black History Month October is Black History Month. We do, of course, work to oppose discrimination against our black members the whole year round as we do for all other members who experience oppression. But it is good to take stock, look at the history and how far we have come, and think about how far we still have to go. For more see the PCS web site here. 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. Pension Justice Join the PCS campaign. We have had some success in court but there is more work to do. See here for more details. The public consultation will close on 11 October 2020 so get your views heard. 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. Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day. Don’t suffer alone. Reach out to a mental health first aider or PCS rep and we will talk to you. Stay safe, look after yourself, and whatever you are doing make a difference. Chris Willars Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch