PCS Latest News

National party politics in the UK has reached fever pitch. I’m going to be restrained and stay out of it. A piece of news that may have slipped under your radar is that a new public sector pay freeze may be introduced. It looks like many of those key workers that we all came out of our houses to clap (including ourselves) will be the ones to suffer financially for the Covid crisis while those who made a mint from people’s suffering will continue to get even richer still. We can’t let this happen without a fight. Sign our petition below even if you don’t do anything else.

 

And remember that in spite of promising news on vaccines 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 are still getting regular reports of suspected and proven cases in Jobcentres and the CMG centre. Mostly the procedures work but it can sometimes be chaotic. If you are a manager please get PCS reps involved at the earliest opportunity so that we can help.

 

Jobcentres are open to staff again. I’m hoping that we have got in control of the outbreaks among staff for now. Please keep you PCS rep informed of any suspected or proven cases and we will help to ensure that the process is followed.

 

We should now be only seeing vulnerable customers face to face and only then if we cannot deal with them in any other way. 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.

 

We are still seeking further clarification on use of the Covid-19 app at work and will let everyone know the results when negotiations are complete.

 

We succeeded in stopping a big increase in later opening in Jobcentres during the pandemic but are still arguing to stop the needless expansion of Saturday working. But progress is slow.

 

If you have any concerns please get in touch with us.

 

We continue to meet with both CMG and Jobcentre 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Islamophobia Awareness Month

And November is Islamophobia Awareness Month.See here for details.

 

Disability History Month

Disability History Month runs from 18 November to 20 December 2020. See here for the PCS view.

 

Green Tip of the Week

In our new regular feature our branch Green Rep, Donna Pellegrini, gives some hints and tips on green issues.

 

Join the Build Back Better campaign. Please see the web site for events and campaigns. This campaign is backed by PCS and we are on the steering committee.

 

The Government intends for all vehicles to be emission-free by 2040 and is offering a sweetener in the form of a grant of 35% of the purchase price (up to £3,500, via the dealer) on approved vehicles (www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants) to those who are keen to trade in the diesel/petrol guzzler they house overnight in their garage for an electric model.

 

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 Transgender Day of Remembrance today. PCS celebrates all of our members in all their glorious diversity as we unite to push for our common good.

 

Stay safe, look after yourself, and whatever you are doing make a difference.

 

 

Chris Willars 
Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch

PCS Latest News

We are now in National lockdown 2 (the sequel) but only if by nation we mean England. The prospects of American Civil War 2 being higher than I ever thought possible and the impending economic impact of Brexit just around the corner mean that the world has never felt so apocalyptic. It’s time to join a union and fight back. 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 Jobcentres are open to staff again. I’m hoping that we have got in control of the outbreaks among staff for now. Please keep you PCS rep informed of any suspected or proven cases and we will help to ensure that the process is followed. We should now be only seeing vulnerable customers face to face and only then if we cannot deal with them in any other way. 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. We are seeking further clarification on use of the Covid-19 app at work and will let everyone know the results when negotiations are complete. If you have any concerns please get in touch with us. We continue to meet with both CMG and Jobcentre 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. 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 In our new regular feature our branch Green Rep, Donna Pellegrini, gives some hints and tips on green issues. Join the Build Back Better campaign. Please see the web site for events and campaigns. This campaign is backed by PCS and we are on the steering committee. Being eco-wise is about celebrating creation and passing on those values to the next generation. There are lots of little things we can do in our homes to play our small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape. But we double our efforts when we get our kids involved, helping them understand the why to our what. When they get it, it’ll be second nature when they’re adults—and that much easier to pass it down to their children. Start an herb garden/planter. These are great for kids because they’re virtually fool-proof, and they’re great for you because they provide abundant flavour for your family’s meals. They don’t take much – a bit of soil, lots of sunlight, and watering. You can easily transplant starters from your local nursery, but you can also start from seeds and use the process as a learning experiment for your kids. Seeds are tiny, and it’s a great visual lesson at where our food begins. 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. My bonfire party took place yesterday with only 3 of us, including me. Catering was far easier but I did miss the big event that it normally is. I guess that many who are celebrating Diwali next week will feel the same. Remembrance Day is on Wednesday. Although most events will be cancelled or drastically scaled back we should still take some time to remember all those who have died in wars and redouble our efforts to prevent war in the future. Stay safe, look after yourself, and whatever you are doing make a difference. Chris Willars Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch