The Labour Party say that public sector workers, most of whom are poorly paid, should accept pay rises of less than 1% for the sake of the economy and to set an example to the private sector.
The Tories think there should be no rise at all.
The good news is that one group of public sector workers have managed to achieve a rise of 1.5%, smashing the limits of the government and opposition.
The bad news is that it is those same MPs who support the limits for the rest of us that will be breaking their own rules.
I suppose they need the rise to nearly £66K now that they can't subsidise their salaries by fiddling their expenses.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
The Playground Bully
I have heard the argument that because a number of public sector workers and workers in private industry have worse conditions than civil servants then we should just accept the changes to our conditions.
This is the same argument as saying that because the playground bully has stolen the lunch money from some of your friends you should go up to the bully and give him yours as well.
I believe that we need to stand up to bullies, in the playground, in the workplace or in government.
They are not going to take our money without a struggle.
Join the action on the 8th and 9th and don't work overtime.
This is the same argument as saying that because the playground bully has stolen the lunch money from some of your friends you should go up to the bully and give him yours as well.
I believe that we need to stand up to bullies, in the playground, in the workplace or in government.
They are not going to take our money without a struggle.
Join the action on the 8th and 9th and don't work overtime.
Friday, 5 March 2010
All Out on 8th & 9th
PCS members have voted for action & it is crucial that we all support it.
It looks as if management want to see how well supported the action is before they decide if they want further talks.
It is therefore important that we show them by supporting the strike & enforce the overtime ban afterwards.
Remember it is not just DWP but all of the civil service, & remember it is not just the compensation scheme but, if we lose, it will be much more likely that jobs will go and they will come after our pensions.
There is a hardship fund if anyone really cannot afford to lose pay (but it is really sobering how little we actually lose).
Come to the picket on Monday & Tuesday and then to the rally at the Notts Oddfellows Club on Humberstone Gate in Leicester from 11:30 on Monday. There will be PCS National speakers & support from the local trades council.
Together we can win.
It looks as if management want to see how well supported the action is before they decide if they want further talks.
It is therefore important that we show them by supporting the strike & enforce the overtime ban afterwards.
Remember it is not just DWP but all of the civil service, & remember it is not just the compensation scheme but, if we lose, it will be much more likely that jobs will go and they will come after our pensions.
There is a hardship fund if anyone really cannot afford to lose pay (but it is really sobering how little we actually lose).
Come to the picket on Monday & Tuesday and then to the rally at the Notts Oddfellows Club on Humberstone Gate in Leicester from 11:30 on Monday. There will be PCS National speakers & support from the local trades council.
Together we can win.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Civil Service Compensation Scheme
The votes are in and the fightback starts here.
The union will be out on strike on 8 and 9 March, not just Jobcentre Plus but the Pensions Centre too, not just DWP but HMRC, MOD, MOJ, Land Registry & all the other government departments throughout the UK.
We are hoping to hold a rally on 8 March at the Notts Oddfellows Club on Humberstone Gate in Leicester. I'll let you know the details when I have them, but it will be after picket duty.
Please read the PCS web site for the counter arguments to the management propaganda. They can put out their stuff on the intranet but if PCS tried to put our side or used e-mail to put our case then reps would be disciplined.
If you have any questions please add a comment to this post and I will try and reply.
See you all at the rally.
The union will be out on strike on 8 and 9 March, not just Jobcentre Plus but the Pensions Centre too, not just DWP but HMRC, MOD, MOJ, Land Registry & all the other government departments throughout the UK.
We are hoping to hold a rally on 8 March at the Notts Oddfellows Club on Humberstone Gate in Leicester. I'll let you know the details when I have them, but it will be after picket duty.
Please read the PCS web site for the counter arguments to the management propaganda. They can put out their stuff on the intranet but if PCS tried to put our side or used e-mail to put our case then reps would be disciplined.
If you have any questions please add a comment to this post and I will try and reply.
See you all at the rally.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM took place last Tuesday at a packed Notts Oddfellows Club. We just about filled all the available seating.
I was re-elected as secretary so you will have to put up with my rants on the blog for another year. I would like to record my thanks to everyone who has supported the branch during the last year, especially the BEC & I am looking forward to the next one.
Mark Serwotka was inspirational as guest speaker and I would advise anyone who was unable to attend to try and hear him speak if you get the chance. He pulled no punches about how hard it would be for members over the next 12 months but was determined to lead the fightback on behalf of the membership.
We, as the ordinary members, need to make sure that we are just as resolute.
I was re-elected as secretary so you will have to put up with my rants on the blog for another year. I would like to record my thanks to everyone who has supported the branch during the last year, especially the BEC & I am looking forward to the next one.
Mark Serwotka was inspirational as guest speaker and I would advise anyone who was unable to attend to try and hear him speak if you get the chance. He pulled no punches about how hard it would be for members over the next 12 months but was determined to lead the fightback on behalf of the membership.
We, as the ordinary members, need to make sure that we are just as resolute.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Latest News
Things are moving on quickly.
The talks on telephony transformation have made some progress and are still ongoing.
For a detailed update please attend the AGM on 23 February.
The compensation scheme talks, sadly, went less well and we are in a balloting period until 25 February. Please make sure that you have voted. This branch strongly urges you to vote in favour of action. See the PCS web site for details & don't believe the propaganda that management issue. They get away with putting out their stuff on the intranet and via e-mail. I would be disciplined if I put our case.
Last, but not least, we are in the process of submitting our pay claim. I await the response with baited breath.
The talks on telephony transformation have made some progress and are still ongoing.
For a detailed update please attend the AGM on 23 February.
The compensation scheme talks, sadly, went less well and we are in a balloting period until 25 February. Please make sure that you have voted. This branch strongly urges you to vote in favour of action. See the PCS web site for details & don't believe the propaganda that management issue. They get away with putting out their stuff on the intranet and via e-mail. I would be disciplined if I put our case.
Last, but not least, we are in the process of submitting our pay claim. I await the response with baited breath.
Blogging Again
It's been a while since my last post.
All my union time has been spent organising the AGM but you should all have the paperwork now.
It should be a good event - having Mark Serwotka coming to speak certainly will make it worthwhile.
There were rumours that some members would be prevented from attending but after discussions with management any misunderstandings have been cleared up and members will be able to attend.
I hope to see you there.
All my union time has been spent organising the AGM but you should all have the paperwork now.
It should be a good event - having Mark Serwotka coming to speak certainly will make it worthwhile.
There were rumours that some members would be prevented from attending but after discussions with management any misunderstandings have been cleared up and members will be able to attend.
I hope to see you there.
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