In the days leading
up to tomorrow’s (20 March) industrial action, the department wrote to our
union asking for exemptions to the industrial action in certain areas of the
Ministry of Defence. Whilst our union has this list, we will not be publishing
it, as we firmly believe every single PCS member in the Ministry of Defence is
of value to the department.
It is extremely
significant that by sending us the list and asking for exemptions, the
department is admitting that certain functions and certain personnel within the
MoD are absolutely vital. There are undoubtedly some jobs that support the
front line more directly than others, but whether you are a guard at Faslane, a
DBS case advisor in Cheadle Hulme or the permanent under secretary in Main
Building, London, every civilian worker in our department contributes to the
support to the front line.
However, every single
civilian worker in our department has been affected by pay restraint; everybody
has suffered increases in their pension contributions (with another increase
due in a fortnight) and all PCS defence sector group members now have their
terms and conditions under threat.
The Ministry of
Defence have not given any exemptions to any MoD civil servant on pay,
pensions, terms and conditions and the Con Dem government are refusing to talk
to our union nationally about their proposed detrimental changes to our terms
and conditions.
Therefore, our union
will be granting no blanket exemptions for tomorrows strike action. Loyal,
hardworking MoD employees are having their loyalty and dedication firmly thrown
back in their faces by an uncaring, yet deceitful employer.
Unwarranted management spin
We have become aware
that some management areas within the department are attempting to spin the PCS
position on exemptions, to say that whole sites or activities are exempt. The
group executive committee (GEC) have had the same position for numerous years
now and this remains intact for tomorrow’s strike action.
If the department can
show that they have work that is absolutely operationally urgent and the member
who would normally do the work is on strike, then they can call that person to
come in to undertake that urgent operational task. Our union has said that the
choice is then that of the member. In addition we have exempted one team member
in defined operational support areas where 24-hour cover is essential.
We will be reviewing
these arrangements after the current action and will be checking carefully that
any exemptions have not been exploited.
Every normal working
day, we all work beside military colleagues and form friendship and allegiances
with them. Our union recognises the MoD is a very special department and the
last thing we would want to do is to put any of our military colleagues at
risk.
Conclusion
This GEC policy is
not a policy of exemption; it is a policy of compassion.
We have made some
progress with our Fair Deal campaign and we want to work further with senior
MoD management on this and we will look for the government to support this.
Unfortunately, this
government does not match the compassion shown by our union. We want a Fair
Deal in Defence and a fair deal for all public sector workers and as they wont
listen, we must act.
ALL OUT ON 20 MARCH –
NO BLANKET EXEMPTIONS
Bob Rollings
Defence Sector group secretar
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