Public and Commercial Services Union

National dispute: consulting with members

This issue of Informed gives a report of the decisions taken at the NEC meeting held on 3–5th July 2007

Top of the agenda at the July meeting of the NEC was the unionwide
consultation with members on the national dispute in the civil service and related bodies. The NEC agreed plans to issue a consultation document to all members by 20 July, with consultation meetings in workplaces and towns across the UK until early September.

This will be the largest face-to-face consultation exercise in the history of the union. It is a crucial opportunity for members to discuss how we can step up our campaigning – including stepping up industrial action if necessary – to ensure we secure a negotiated settlement. The NEC will receive written feedback from every meeting about what was discussed and decided.

Members are being urged to attend and take part in these meetings. Teams are being established in each region to organise the meetings, and campaign packs are being issued to branches to help ensure they are successful.

Compulsory Redundancies

The importance of our consultation, and of stepping-up our campaign, was underlined by the news that 30 staff in the DTI were given 6 months notice of compulsory redundancy in June. NEC members agreed these notices are completely unnecessary and every effort must be made to protect the jobs of those members who wish to continue their careers.

In addition, there is a real threat of further notices being issued soon to staff in other areas.PCS officers and reps in these areas will be working hard to protect members from these attacks. Meetings with Ministers are being sought.

National Pay Strategy 2007

Our campaign against low and unequal pay is central to our national dispute and to the whole PCS membership. Millions of workers across the public sector are being confronted with basic pay increases at below the level of inflation.

PCS is in the process of discussing with other public sector unions about how we might take part in joint campaigning and action on pay. The NEC reaffirmed its view that effective coordination of action and campaigning across different Departments, Agencies and other organisations is essential if we are going to secure fair pay increases. The national union will be working with our Groups to maximise unity on this issue.

Scottish Parliament

The NEC discussed the recent change of government in the Scottish Parliament.
This could have significant implications for PCS members. We are seeking meetings with Ministers to discuss what changes are being considered and to make clear the importance of protecting jobs, combating low pay, and keeping services in the public sector.

Unemployed Workers’ Centres

The NEC agreed to donate £1000 to the National One Fund For All (OFFA) which is involved in raising monies to help fund Unemployed Workers’ Centres.

These Centres provide valuable services and support to the unemployed such as advice on obtaining benefits, making job applications and training. In recent years PCS has developed important links with the Centres. Our DWP Group has worked with them to develop a charter of rights for workers and service users.

The NEC further agreed to publicise the work of OFFA among our members and explore how we may be able to provide further support at a regional level.

Review of Commercial Sector

The NEC also agreed a plan to carry out a review of the role of the Commercial Sector within PCS, as proposed at our Annual Delegate Conference. The review will take into account the unique nature of the Commercial Sector including working with multi-national employers, on-going privatisation, regular business changes, and the relative difficulty of union organising.

The review will be overseen by the Deputy General Secretary and will lead to recommendations on how we can increase the influence of the union in the commercial sector and the resources we will need to do so.