The pension scheme for 1.5 million civil servants in Britain is to be run by a new joint venture in the biggest sell off of a government service under plans to devolve power.
Francis Maude, the cabinet office minister, will announce that handing My Civil Service Pension (MyCSP) to a mutual shows that the government is wedded to its political choice outsourcing and rewarding the private sector, with no consideration of service, that value for money can be generated in-house or that risk and liability remains with the government.
The decision flies in the face of what My Civil Service Pension staff say they want and goes against Francis Maude's claim that he would not do anything without the consent of the workforce – a commitment given to representatives of PCS and other unions at a meeting with the cabinet minister on 31 March.
The union says this is not a mutual venture – there has been no consent or co-operation and it does not involve co-ownership – it is being branded as such to make privatisation sound more attractive.
Unlike the government, PCS has consulted MyCSP staff about what they want, holding meetings at all MyCSP offices. Overwhelmingly, members have said they do not want to go down this route, and want to retain their civil service status.
The government has refused to allow staff to retain this status, which would include having access to the civil service pension schemes they administer, and the union has not ruled out balloting for industrial action.
Unlike the government, PCS has consulted MyCSP staff about what they want, holding meetings at all MyCSP offices. Overwhelmingly, members have said they do not want to go down this route, and want to retain their civil service status.
The government has refused to allow staff to retain this status, which would include having access to the civil service pension schemes they administer, and the union has not ruled out balloting for industrial action.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "The government claims this will be innovative and beneficial to staff, but it is not a mutual organisation and there are no benefits for our members who will be forced out of the public sector.
"This would be privatisation by the back door, with our members' civil service contracts ripped up, and we will do everything we can to oppose it."
"This would be privatisation by the back door, with our members' civil service contracts ripped up, and we will do everything we can to oppose it."
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