I have read the latest bulletin on the telephony and processing transformation project.
PCS is not getting much information locally or regionally but hopefully that will soon change.
There does appear to be meaningful talks and maybe this has delayed some decisions.
I am mildly optimistic that we may be able to get a better deal on the situation here in Leicester.
But I'm not holding my breath...
Friday 22 January 2010
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
I have just been reading the words of praise from Gordon Brown & Yvette Cooper about how hard everyone in Jobcentre Plus has worked & what a great contribution we have made to the economy.
While this is welcome I would like to compare their words with their deeds.
If they are so grateful why are they not keeping on the FTA staff, why are they cutting our pay in real terms, and why are they reducing our entitlement to compensation?
If they can cut the pay & entitlements of people who are trying to help the economy why are they allowing thousands in bonuses to already highly paid staff in publicly owned banks who helped get us in a mess?
Actions do speak louder than words & that is why I shall be voting for action in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme ballot & encouraging all members to do likewise.
While this is welcome I would like to compare their words with their deeds.
If they are so grateful why are they not keeping on the FTA staff, why are they cutting our pay in real terms, and why are they reducing our entitlement to compensation?
If they can cut the pay & entitlements of people who are trying to help the economy why are they allowing thousands in bonuses to already highly paid staff in publicly owned banks who helped get us in a mess?
Actions do speak louder than words & that is why I shall be voting for action in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme ballot & encouraging all members to do likewise.
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Get Involved in PCS
We are always on the look out for new reps.
Not just BEC reps but Health & Safety reps and Union Learning reps as well.
Full training will be given for all of these roles and you can do as little (or as much) as you wish.
Contact me for more details or just apply on the form that will be sent out with the AGM calling notice.
Remember that a union is only as strong as its members.
To paraphrase JFK, ask not what the union can do for you, but what you can do for the union.
Not just BEC reps but Health & Safety reps and Union Learning reps as well.
Full training will be given for all of these roles and you can do as little (or as much) as you wish.
Contact me for more details or just apply on the form that will be sent out with the AGM calling notice.
Remember that a union is only as strong as its members.
To paraphrase JFK, ask not what the union can do for you, but what you can do for the union.
Mark Serwotka
It's great news that Mark has been re-elected as PCS General Secretary.
It's also great news that he will be speaking at our AGM on Tuesday 23 February 2010.
If you have not heard him speak before it is well worth it. He is a passionate, lyrical Welshman who will forcefully put the case for the members.
Book your time off now.
Remember, you get paid time off to attend (90 minutes plus reasonable travelling time) and, if appropriate, you can claim travel expenses.
You will even get fed.
It's also great news that he will be speaking at our AGM on Tuesday 23 February 2010.
If you have not heard him speak before it is well worth it. He is a passionate, lyrical Welshman who will forcefully put the case for the members.
Book your time off now.
Remember, you get paid time off to attend (90 minutes plus reasonable travelling time) and, if appropriate, you can claim travel expenses.
You will even get fed.
Thursday 7 January 2010
Severe Weather & Flexi Credits
DWP and CMEC have basic guidance for serious disruption to public transport and extreme weather conditions under Standards of Behaviour and Flexible Working Hours Procedure.
Standards of Behaviour
DWP Standards of Behaviour Procedures, Paragraph 38, states:
“38. In the case of travel disruptions or bad weather, you are expected to consider alternative transport options including walking if less than one hour’s walking distance, or secondly, to consider working from an office location closer to home, or from home if practicable. Consideration will be made for issues of diversity and equality, and for your health, safety and welfare.”
CMEC Standards of Behaviour Policy, Paragraph 31, states:
“31. In the case of travel disruptions or bad weather, you are expected to consider alternative transport options including walking if less than one hour’s walking distance or secondly, to consider working from an alternative Commission office closer to home, or from home if practicable. Consideration will be made for issues of diversity and equality, and for your health, safety and welfare.”
Flexible Working Hours Procedures
Both DWP and CMEC Flexible Working Hours Procedures have guidance under Paragraph 3.1 which tells managers to:
“Use discretion about requests for FWH credits for reasons such as serious disruption to public transport and extreme weather conditions”
Health, Safety and Welfare
Managers should give due regard to staff health, safety and welfare, particularly those staff who, as a result of transport disruption, are walking long distances outside of daylight hours in order to attend for work. Managers will need to make use of local knowledge when making decisions regarding what is a reasonable time for staff to start their journey home. Relevant factors to take into account include the route to be taken and weather conditions.
Managers should also consider sympathetically requests for special leave which result from the possible wider effects of transport disruption, for example closure of schools or the breakdown of childcare arrangements.
All decisions must take full account of equal opportunities, family friendly policies and staff health, safety and welfare.
If managers refuse special leave or flexi credits please let your rep know.
Standards of Behaviour
DWP Standards of Behaviour Procedures, Paragraph 38, states:
“38. In the case of travel disruptions or bad weather, you are expected to consider alternative transport options including walking if less than one hour’s walking distance, or secondly, to consider working from an office location closer to home, or from home if practicable. Consideration will be made for issues of diversity and equality, and for your health, safety and welfare.”
CMEC Standards of Behaviour Policy, Paragraph 31, states:
“31. In the case of travel disruptions or bad weather, you are expected to consider alternative transport options including walking if less than one hour’s walking distance or secondly, to consider working from an alternative Commission office closer to home, or from home if practicable. Consideration will be made for issues of diversity and equality, and for your health, safety and welfare.”
Flexible Working Hours Procedures
Both DWP and CMEC Flexible Working Hours Procedures have guidance under Paragraph 3.1 which tells managers to:
“Use discretion about requests for FWH credits for reasons such as serious disruption to public transport and extreme weather conditions”
Health, Safety and Welfare
Managers should give due regard to staff health, safety and welfare, particularly those staff who, as a result of transport disruption, are walking long distances outside of daylight hours in order to attend for work. Managers will need to make use of local knowledge when making decisions regarding what is a reasonable time for staff to start their journey home. Relevant factors to take into account include the route to be taken and weather conditions.
Managers should also consider sympathetically requests for special leave which result from the possible wider effects of transport disruption, for example closure of schools or the breakdown of childcare arrangements.
All decisions must take full account of equal opportunities, family friendly policies and staff health, safety and welfare.
If managers refuse special leave or flexi credits please let your rep know.
Happy New Year
Welcome back.
I hope you have all had a good break, however long or short it may have been.
We all need to be prepared for the challenges to come, transformation of the BDC to a contact centre, civil service compensation scheme, a general election, pay freezes, job cuts, etc.
The ballot papers for action should be out for BDC staff soon. Members in other parts of the business can support their BDC colleagues by donating to the hardship fund.
Together we can achieve something, or at least knock off the roughest edges of the plans for us. Divided, we are screwed.
I hope you have all had a good break, however long or short it may have been.
We all need to be prepared for the challenges to come, transformation of the BDC to a contact centre, civil service compensation scheme, a general election, pay freezes, job cuts, etc.
The ballot papers for action should be out for BDC staff soon. Members in other parts of the business can support their BDC colleagues by donating to the hardship fund.
Together we can achieve something, or at least knock off the roughest edges of the plans for us. Divided, we are screwed.
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