It is time to choose

On Wednesday this week, the Chancellor, George Gideon Osborne will announce several thousand more civilian job losses in the Ministry of Defence as part of his comprehensive spending review package. As yet, we do not know exactly what the painful figure will be, but our union is clear that even a single further civilian job cut will be one too many.

Our department has already seen over 25,000 civilians leave since the last comprehensive spending review – the SDSR in October 2010 – with little or no corresponding drop or cut in outputs. PCS members are already covering two, three and sometimes four jobs as our loyalty is stretched to breaking point.

We know, from the department’s own HR dashboard, that at the end of the financial year, TLBs were running with vacancy levels above 24% - a staggering 16,000 civilian vacancies. It’s no wonder the remaining staff were under such pressure to deliver outputs, with 1 in 4 posts vacant.

Misplaced loyalty

Our union now firmly believes that members who have loyally served the department and have gone further than the extra mile to keep the department and support to the frontline afloat can now see exactly what that loyalty is worth - nothing.

In fact for PCS members our loyalty is worth less than nothing. Pay restraint is a real terms pay cut when inflation is almost three times the paltry 1% being offered this year; which comes after two years of a pay freeze. Two years (with one more to come) of pension contribution increases has further reduced the money PCS defence sector members have in their pockets at the end of every month. Members can see the real impact of these reductions here:http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/campaigns/national-campaigns/pay/austerity-pay-calculator.cfm

The new performance management arrangements threaten to see 1 in 20 members sacked within the next year. We wait to see if the Chancellor will increase the pain threshold in our department on Wednesday as they seek to sack people on the cheap. The Permanent Secretary has confirmed in his latest blog that there will be no new early release scheme, so they are clearly looking for those sacked under the performance management scheme, who get no compensation payments however long they have worked for the department and whatever loyalty they have given, to make up the latest cuts.

Our union understands that the next term and condition that will be attacked is the death in service benefit. It is clear to our union that not only do this government wish to see their own staff suffer poverty pay in life, then their dependants must also suffer poverty pay in death. As we now have to work longer (68 at present), there is little doubt that sadly more of us will die in service, thus leaving our loved ones with further financial problems.

How will the MoD continue to deliver their outputs?

A simple and fair question, which the department cannot answer.

Our union is of the firm opinion that every single civilian job loss will actually cost the department and the taxpayer more money in the long run. We are already seeing wholesale militarisation of civilian work and as our military colleagues cost roughly twice as much as their civilian counterparts, this will simply add cost to the defence budget.

Similarly, if any privatisation goes ahead that gets numbers out of the MoD civilian workforce, this will simply mean the private contractor will absorb these civilian staff, pay these civilian staff, but charge the MoD a premium for doing so. The result – MoD civilian numbers down, private contractors profits up and cost to the taxpayer up.

Stand up and demand a Fair Deal in Defence

We know that members care deeply about the Ministry of Defence. We work alongside our military colleagues on a daily basis; we socialise with them and on occasions we form lifelong friendships with them. Our union does not blame the military for the problems in our department, even though the latest announcements seem to protect the military at the cost of civilian jobs, pay and allowances.

No, the problems lie at the door of ministers and intransigent senior MoD management. Con Dem ministers who seem hell bent on destroying the public sector; with the Civil Service first on their agenda because PCS, the main civil service union, has the audacity to stand up for its members; the services they provide and the communities they live in.

However, senior MoD management also must take their share of the blame for meekly accepting and then implementing this cuts agenda. They have the option on the table to give us a Fair Deal but, because we took strike action on 17 June, senior MoD management took their ball away and went home.

We had made some progress on our union’s Fair Deal campaign objectives, but because we took legitimate, democratic strike action as part of the PCS national campaign, the Ministry of Defence took the huff and withdrew from negotiations. HRD, the MoD business unit conducting the negotiations on behalf of the MoD have a business unit motto of ‘Promoting Good Employee relations” – you couldn’t make it up.

We will continue to seek talks around our Fair Deal objectives, but we also now need to do more.

You can also make your concerns clear by posting on the PUS blog here:http://pppaintranet.chris.r.mil.uk/blogs/pus/2013/06/24/24-june-2013/.

Conclusion

Our union is not surprised by this latest announcement of further MoD civilian Job cuts. Yet again, the casino bankers, city spivs and tax avoiders are given a free pass to continue on their merry way whilst honest working people are sacrificed on the altar of political ideology.

For civilians working in the Ministry of Defence, it is now time to choose.

There are two stark but simple choices: –

1. Stop getting your loyalty abused and push back against those who would seek to damage your future. Our union’s Fair Deal in Defence campaign does exactly what it says on the tin. If you are with us, we will stand together and fight for fair pay, fair and decent pensions, job security and terms and conditions a modern employer should be proud to offer.
2. Accept pay restraint, pension increases and attack after attack on your job security and terms and conditions. By keeping your head down and doing nothing you signal to senior MoD management and the government that they have not gone far enough to reduce your living standards, prospects and job security. It will be a green light to impose further pay cuts, pension increases and change your conditions of service as detrimentally as they see fit. You would also be telling them that you commend them on the imposition of the new draconian Performance Management arrangements that will see 1 in 20 colleagues (that may include you) being sacked on an annual basis. You can also suggest that if there are any other employment related issues that they have not already considered reducing, changing or altering, that they consider doing this as soon as possible.

We know, from the numbers of staff simply leaving the department that many have now given up the fight. However our union is not willing to meekly throw in the towel.

If you believe that all staff, whether military or civilian, deserve a Fair Deal in Defence then our union is up for the fight. To choose any other option is unbearable, when the consequences for you, your family and our community in the future are clear.

Guidance for burgering off

Branches are advised to ensure that certain things are in place before taking part in the 'Tell MoD to burger off' aspect of the day of protest action.

Firstly ensure that barbeques can be used in the location chosen – some parks have certain barbeque friendly areas. Annex 1 below has advice for barbeque safety.

We recommend that you risk assess the event before you start, for advice on carrying out risk assessments contact Eric Rothery: 01452 712612 ext 7544

Disposable barbeques on average need 30 minutes to get up to heat, more than one barbeque is likely to be needed. You must ensure that they have cooled before disposal and that it is disposed of carefully and sensibly. It is recommended that a bucket of water is kept nearby and that a first aid kit is readily available.

Ensure that there is facility to clean your hands before handling food – a hand gel may prove ideal. Do not handle food with open wounds on your hands; a “blue plaster” should be employed.

Food should be kept cool and hygienically stored prior to cooking, and burgers should be cooked from raw not frozen and served whilst hot. Advice re barbeque food safety can be found here:http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/Barbecuefoodsafety.aspx

Bob Rollings
Defence Sector Group Secretary

Annex 1 – Barbecue Safety

Barbecues should be fun, and will be safe if you prepare properly. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advises that barbecue lovers should take the following precautions:

• When choosing a barbecue, stability is essential – ensure the one you choose is strong and sturdy
• Check your barbecue is in good condition (particularly if you have not used it for some time) and look for loose or damaged parts that may need adjustment or repair
• Consider the location – level ground, away from fences, sheds and overhanging trees, which have been known to catch fire
• Never light a barbecue in an enclosed space
• Prepare the barbecue early to ensure it is at the right temperature by the time you want to cook
• Particular care should be taken in hot, dry weather to reduce the risk of starting a forest or grass fire
• Never pour petrol, meths or other accelerants on to a barbecue. Some of the most serious barbecue-related accidents happen when people do this and the barbecue “explodes” in their face
• Use long-handled tools
• Be careful of steam when opening foil parcels
• Remember that the metal parts of a barbecue can become hot – don’t try to move it until it has cooled down
• Don’t leave children unsupervised near a barbecue
• Make sure the barbecue is fully extinguished before you leave it
• Take care when getting rid of a disposable barbecue, or barbecue coals – ensure they have cooled down before placing them in a bin.

Tips for barbecuing in a public place:

• If you are planning to have a barbecue in a public place, ensure that you are allowed to do so at the location you intend to use – and never leave the barbecue unattended
• Particular care should be taken in hot, dry weather to reduce the risk of starting a forest or grass fire
• Take care when getting rid of a disposable barbecue or barbecue coals – ensure they have cooled down before placing them in a bin.

27 June day of protest

Our union has announced that 27 June will be a day of protest in the civil service as we continue our Fair Deal campaign in the defence sector group and our national campaign across the entire civil service.

The Defence Sector group want our members to play a massive and significant part in this day of protest. Members will this year get a paltry below inflation pay rise after two years of pay freezes whilst paying out yet more for their pension which diminishes at a later retirement date.

On top of this we have wave after wave of attacks on our terms and conditions such as the detrimental changes to performance management, which will see 1 in 20 MoD employees sacked by this time next year.

Day of protest

The defence sector group is therefore fully supporting the 27 June day of protest and ask that members consider doing the following during the day.

1. Work your proper hours – our union recognises that members want to give the best possible support to the front line, but working long hours or unpaid overtime will only allow the MoD to continue abusing your loyalty. We ask that on 27 June, you work your proper hours and no more.
2. Between 10.00am and 11.00am – We are asking all members to have a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) break. Members who work with Visual Display Units (VDTs, UADs, laptops, monitors are in this context all the same thing) for a significant part of their working day are already advised by the MoD to take a break away from the screen of between five to ten minutes each hour. Our union knows that with members covering 2 and 3 extra jobs because of staff shortages, these breaks are not regularly taken. On 27 June, please take a DSE break between 10.00am and 11.00am
3. Between 11.00am and 12 noon - We are asking all members to call DBS with a pay query. Members can ask their own question or simply ask how much (or how little) they will get in their pay ‘rise’ in August. Please remember that the vast majority of those who answer these calls in DBS will be PCS members who themselves will be protesting for a Fair Deal on 27 June. You can call DBS on 93345 7772 or 0800 345 7772.
4. During the lunch period – We want you to “Tell the MoD to burger off”. We are asking branch executives to buy disposable barbeques, burgers and rolls and cook the burgers for members at lunchtime. This will be outside and not on MoD property. Please check with your own branch officials that it is going ahead in your site before leaving the site – we don’t want hungry members!
5. Between 2.00pm and 3.00pm – It is time to tell PUS what you think of working in the MoD under a regime of pay cuts, increased pension contributions and working harder but facing the threat of the sack as the performance management arrangements take effect. The PUS blog is on the front page of the Defence Intranet; click on this and then click on reply and tell PUS what it is really like to work in the MoD today.
6. Between 3.00pm and 4.00pm – Sign in to the Defence Bulletin Board (DBB) and swamp it with posts about how you want and deserve a Fair Deal in Defence. All of the rooms on the DBB reflect our working life in the MoD so post how you want improvement in your working life. In other words, how you want a Fair Deal in Defence.

If you are a shift worker, part-time worker or have another alternative working pattern, we ask that you undertake the above actions in line with your working pattern.

Conclusion

Our union makes no apology if any or all of these actions disrupt the Ministry of Defence on 27 June. The MoD and this government have disrupted our working lives for too long. We have suffered pay restraint, pension contribution increases and assault after assault on our terms and conditions. It is time to make a protest and stand up to those in officialdom and say we want a Fair Deal in Defence.

Further job cuts as Osborne reaches deal with MoD

The Ministry of Defence has reached a budget deal which will see a cut in the number of its civilian staff, the chancellor has said.

The announcement comes three days before the spending review for 2015-16.

Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Osborne said: "I've settled with the defence department. Many people thought that was going to be one of the biggest challenges."

He added that he and Defence Secretary Philip Hammond had come to agree on a "tough choice" where "The civilian [MoD staff] head count is going to be reduced. There will not be a reduction in military capability."

The civilian component of defence capability is critical to the support and functioning of the front line.

The loyalty and dedication of civil servants to their department and the armed forces have kept the MoD functioning. 

Additional cuts will destroy the ability of civilians to support the front line, which in turn will reduce military capability.

In short, defence cuts cost.

DSG 17 June action - Thank you to the 10,000+

From the reports our union has received, the strike action we have taken today (17 June) is the best ever supported strike action by members in the Defence Sector group. ON behalf of the Group Executive, can we thank every single member of our group who took action today.

The reports we have had from MoD establishments throughout the country has the same message repeating itself over and over again – very few, if any PCS members went to work in the MoD today. Indeed, we signed up numerous new PCS members either on the picket lines today or in the days preceding today’s action.

Reps saw a particular swell in membership after MoD management withdrew from the Fair Deal negotiations and the recent implementation of the detrimental performance management arrangements.

From the feedback we have had from picket lines at almost every main MoD location, we estimate that in excess of 10,000 members have taken action today and supported our union in our fight for a Fair Deal in Defence.

Whilst we have lost approximately 2,000 members since the SDSR announcement in the autumn of 2010, this is dwarfed by the fact that in the same period, the Ministry of Defence has lost over 25,000 civilians. Therefore, while our union may be slightly smaller, we have a much larger membership density and this makes action such as today all the more powerful.

The Ministry of Defence is struggling to function on a day-to-day basis when PCS members are at work; when we are not, the department is brought to its knees. However today we were left with little choice but to take action. We have an employer who foists pay restraint accompanied with pension contribution increases; an employer who thinks it is OK to sack 1 in 20 but then walk away from negotiations that will improve the working lives of their staff and an employer who hides behind central government policy because it is easier to do that than value their own staff.

Once again, many thanks to every PCS member in our group who has taken action today. You have made a stand and should rightly be proud of yourself by doing so.

Eight RAF stations face strike action on 20 June in pay dispute

A total of 240 Unite and GMB members employed by contactor ISS, which provides food services, cleaning, and other services at eight RAF stations in England and Wales will take strike action on Thursday 20 June in a dispute over pay. Other dates will be notified in due course. 

The joint unions place on record their willingness to meet at any time or place, including at the conciliation service, Acas, should ISS wish to enter into discussions with a view to averting industrial action. 

These members voted overwhelmingly for strike action in an official strike ballot that concluded on 28 May. ISS was notified of the ballot result and the unions asked for more talks, but there has been no movement to resolve the pay dispute at the eight bases 

ISS offered a pay rise of 8p an hour from 1 October 2012 and only 2p an hour to those on the national minimum wage of £6.19 per hour. This was overwhelmingly rejected by members. 

The strike action will be taken by members employed by ISS at the following eight RAF stations: Cranwell, Scampton and Kirton-in-Lindsey in Lincolnshire, Valley in Anglesey, Shawbury and Cosford in Shropshire, Llanwrst in Conwy and Fairbourne in Gwynedd. 

Members undertake the following roles on the ISS contract on these RAF stations: Chef, cleaner, bar steward, catering assistant, admin, mess management, mess hand, mess hand/kitchen porter, payroll clerk, receptionist, retail assistant, steward/stewardess, storeman/driver and supervisor. 

Mike McCartney, Unite national officer for Ministry of Defence members, said: “GMB and Unite have written directly to the company to place on record our willingness to meet at any time or place, including Acas, should ISS wish to enter into meaningful discussions with a genuine view to averting a strike and addressing our members' aspirations on pay and the wider workplace environment. 

“We have told the company that such an approach would be more productive and cost-effective than the time, effort and money the company appears to be spending on trying to undermine lawful industrial action. 

“Staff at some sites have been asked to go across and cover at sites where industrial action is to take place.  ISS has advised that staff will get six days notice and get extra money. 

“ISS has asked these staff not to tell anyone connected to the trade unions that they have been asked to strike break. This will be raised at the ISS European works council meeting which is taking place right now.” 

Sian McClarence, GMB regional officer, said: "The results of the ballots were overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action and the first strike will take place on 20 June. 

“Resorting to industrial action is not something our members ever do lightly, even when taunted. The company has contributed to such a powerful rejection of the pay offer and such a resounding 'yes' for industrial action.” 

17 June action - The pressure is telling on the MoD

With four days to go till we take specific one-day strike action in the Ministry of Defence, management within the department have reacted with panic by withdrawing from negotiations on a Fair Deal in Defence because our union is taking strike action.

It is the clearest indication yet that our rolling programme of an overtime ban, alongside a work to rule and various periods of full strike action is worrying the department so much that they have now resorted to bully boy tactics by walking away from negotiations that have been running for more than six months.

As you would expect, our union will not bow to intimidatory tactics such as this. Members within our department are covering two or three jobs to fill the vacancies by the tens of thousands who have left and are rewarded with pay cuts, higher pension contributions and a new performance management system that will see 1 in 20 sacked within a year.

Therefore, our union will go ahead with the one-day strike action on Monday 17 June. Whilst senior MoD management might want an unfair deal for civilians working in defence, our union is clear that we will fight long and hard to ensure PCS members get a Fair Deal in Defence.

Can I afford to strike on 17 June?

As we go into the next stage of national strike action in defence of our pay, pensions, terms and conditions it is worth reflecting and considering the position we are in. The statement we are faced with most often at times of industrial action is that members can’t afford to take strike action. Our union knows that it is never an easy decision to take strike action.

Our union knows that members in the Defence Sector group are generally on low pay and for most of us every penny counts when bringing in the bare necessities to keep our households going. Therefore to face the loss of another days pay is rightly deliberated and discussed within families because of the sacrifice we have to make.

We are not born with silver spoons in our mouths. We know that we are not all in this together. However nobody deserves to come to work and get an unfair deal in regards to their pay, pensions, terms and conditions. Unfortunately this is what is happening now and will continue to happen unless we take action to defend ourselves.

Therefore the gains we make and the terms and conditions we defend are fought for every step of the way. This is the reality. It can and does require every one of us to play our part and stand shoulder to shoulder with each other in taking action together.

Every penny counts

How many times in these so called austere times, do we hear the phrase ‘every penny counts’ from Con Dem politicians and their pet commentators in the right wing media. Our union agrees that every penny should count, but it appears that (as always) some pennies count more than others.

Evoking memories of the ‘no such thing as society’ ideology of the 80’s, this government’s attacks on the welfare state are as predictable as they are disingenuous and dangerous. The figures simply don’t add up. UK welfare fraud in the last five years totals approximately £5 billion.

This is undoubtedly a huge sum and, of course, we should try and reduce and if possible cut out all fraudulent behaviour. However, to put this in context, in the same five-year period, more than £600 billion has been lost to the Treasury in tax avoidance, tax evasion and unpaid tax.

Members can make their own minds up if this government is showing the same fervour in tacking tax abuse as it is in tackling welfare abuse?

Defence Sector group hardship fund

However our union does recognise that for some members, taking industrial action does cause them severe financial problems. The Defence Sector group operates a hardship fund to provide assistance to individual members placed under such severe financial hardship as a result of taking industrial action (where strike pay is not paid).

The fund is not designed to help members with debt or other related problems and members may wish to look at the PCS benevolent fund, the PCS credit union or our counselling and support services in these circumstances.

In the first instance, members should speak to their branch secretary and should submit their claim through him/her to the group treasurer who will present it to the finance sub-committee to decide upon.

The hardship fund relies on donations from individuals and branches. Therefore, if you are in a position to help out colleagues at this difficult time please call John Wilson, group treasurer on 01785 787108 for further details.

Conclusion

The action on 17 June is part of the group’s campaign to gain a Fair Deal in Defence and part of our national union’s campaign to get government ministers round the table to properly discuss the attacks on our terms and conditions.

Today we are faced with a choice. Do we simply accept the ripping up of our current terms and accrued rights or are we going to stand up for ourselves? In years to come will people look back and say how PCS members fought to defend their terms and conditions or will they just think how did we come to being worse off?

DEFEND OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS – ALL OUT ON 17 JUNE

Stand up for your rights - Why Industrial Pressure is so Important - Threat of strike action leads to talks

Four days of action by members administering military personnel pay have been suspended.

Members working on the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) contract who were due to walk out tomorrow (Friday 14 June) have suspended their action after an offer of talks with ACAS by their private-sector employer CSC.

Our members in SPVA provide pay, pension and support services to both military personnel and the veterans community, directly serving about 900,000 members of the armed forces community. SPVA is currently situated over four main sites from Glasgow in the north to Gosport on the south coast.

The industrial action was supported by 92% of members and was over a dispute on pay and union recognition. Members are already taking action short of a strike consisting of an overtime ban and a ban on call-outs and working on standby.

A PCS spokesperson said: “Our members working on the contract really care about the service provided to the armed forces and the decision to take industrial action was not taken lightly.  

“The government and MoD top brass have been incredibly complacent about the potential repercussions of a strike however and it was only with the service facing imminent meltdown that this offer has been made. PCS looks forward to entering into meaningful negotiations through ACAS to try to resolve this dispute.”

All Out On 17 June

As part of our Fair Deal in Defence campaign that is intertwined with the PCS national campaign to safeguard pay, pensions, terms and conditions, PCS Defence Sector members will take one-day strike action on Monday 17 June.

This one-day strike action replaces the strike action that was postponed on Wednesday 29 May after the tragic incident just outside Woolwich Garrison in London. As a mark of respect and in solidarity with our military colleagues, our union had postponed that one-day strike action.

Members in the defence sector have been magnificent in their support on 20 March and the half-day strike on 5 April. Members will also have seen in recent weeks members from numerous PCS groups take action as part of our national union’s strategy. Last week, members in the two biggest PCS groups – DWP and Revenue and Customs – took very successful action.

Our union believes that the national strikes in March and April along with the regional rolling strikes and short-term disruption will deliver a result that gets Francis Maude back to the negotiating table.

Conclusion

PCS members in the Ministry of Defence can no longer cover for the 24,000+ staff that have left since the SDSR announcement in the autumn of 2010. With no corresponding reduction in outputs to the work we produce, we are left with little option but to strike, as all we get is attack after attack on our misplaced loyalty:

• Performance management arrangements that will see 5% of members sacked for political ideology.
• Ongoing pay restraint seeing members forced into work poverty and on occasions having to choose between feeding themselves and their family or paying travel costs to work.
• Two pension contribution increases already with more to follow. The ‘reward’ – work longer and get less.
• Further attacks to our terms and conditions. The MoD will have to take its share of the pain in the June spending review. We are in little doubt this pain will once again be passed on to MoD civilians.

Government ministers refuse to talk to our union nationally and we are treated with contempt in the MoD as we try and get a Fair Deal in Defence. We now need to take strike action so that we can give every member a Fair Deal in Defence.

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS – ALL OUT ON 17 JUNE