It's only a week until Christmas and we now know that all of Leicestershire will be in Tier 3. I would recommend that you ignore the relaxation in the rules over Christmas as it will increase the chances that you family will be around next Christmas. If you do meet up please take extra effort to stay safe.
It’s hard not to comment on remarks from Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, or the state of EU trade negotiations but I’d better not. And just to be clear PCS do oppose the reintroduction of workhouses.
Bah, humbug!
Here is the latest news.
Pay
The pay debate in Parliament took place last Monday. You can watch a replay here. Read the PCS view here.
I’ll update you with our next steps as the campaign develops.
Coronavirus Outbreaks
We are still getting regular reports of suspected and proven cases in Jobcentres and the CMG centre. There seem to be big numbers in parts of the CMG centre lately so PCS have been actively trying to keep members as safe as we can.
Jobcentres are open to staff. Please keep your 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 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. I sent out the PCS circulars about Saturday opening in a previous e-mail. If you do not feel that your circumstances have been fully taken into account please have a discussion with your line manager. If you cannot resolve the issue please have a chat with a PCS rep.
If you have any concerns about any of the issues above, or anything else, 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.
Flexi Credit for Office Based Workers
The one hour a week flexi credit for office based workers has been extended to April. Please make sure that you claim it if you are entitled. The expenses for homeworkers is still available as well. Please make sure that you claim it if you are entitled.
Free Flu Vaccinations
Flu is still a serious disease and flu at the same time as Covid-19 increases the effects of both. If you cannot get a free jab from the NHS all DWP staff can reclaim the cost of having one. See here for details. PCS encourages ALL members to get vaccinated unless you have had medical advice not to.
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.
Recyclenow.com has teamed up with the Woodland Trust card recycling scheme which will allow people to recycle their cards throughout January at participating retailers. With an average of 17 cards in the UK for every man, woman and child, that's a lot of trees saved. Can you send an e-card instead? Purchase recycled or charity cards or cut up last year's and re-use them?
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will be on Teams this year. We will hold it on Tuesday 23 February 2021 starting at 13:30. Watch out for details in the new year. And please consider becoming a site rep, health and safety rep, union learning rep, or an advocate.
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.
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.
In the next week we will have Yule, the winter solstice, and Christmas. I won’t send an e-mail next week so have a great Christmas break. I’ll try and send an e-mail on or before New Year’s Eve for all those who are working.
Whatever you decide to do please stay safe, look after yourself, and whatever you are doing make a difference.
Have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Chris Willars
Branch Secretary PCS DWP Leicestershire Branch
No comments:
Post a Comment