UNITEDJUSTICE

FOR PENSIONS

It shows a real lack of understanding for the work we do and also for the level of commitment we give to our jobs and to society. That lack of respect actually angers me which is another reason why I’m going on strike today

union for professionals • www.prospect.org.uk ISSUE 6 • DECEMBER-JANUARY 2011

Worktime Yourtime launch World Skills competition New pay freeze 10 years of Prospect

NOV 30STRIKING A BLOW FOR

PENSIONS JUSTICE see pages

15-24

Profile

2 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

GENERAL SECRETARY

profile@prospect.org.uk

www.prospect.org.ukEditor: Charles HarveyReports: Graham StewartKatherine Beirne Penny Vevers

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Acceptance of advertise ments does not imply recommend-ation on the part of the union. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Prospect.

The day the union found its voiceI was proud of the way Prospect rose to the challenge on the November 30 day of action for Pensions Justice. The turnout was fantastic, far exceeding even our most optimistic forecasts. But it was not just the numbers on strike but the incredible level of support on picket lines and at demonstrations, marches and rallies which was so impressive.

I was particularly pleased that we were able to make an impact in the media, where so often the more ‘reasonable’ voice of Prospect gets ignored in favour of those who speak with a shriller tone. It was great to see so many lay reps on TV, on radio and in the press. This gave the lie to media claims that this was all about ‘union barons’ forcing people out. It also helped secure a big increase in public support as ministers’ claims on fairness and affordability failed to stand up to scrutiny.

On the day and subsequently, members have talked about a regained sense of camaraderie and common purpose and of revitalised local structures. It is certainly true that almost all the areas affected have posted record recruitment results, with new members joining right up to and including the day so they could join the strike.

A powerful motivating factor for many was undoubtedly the chancellor’s autumn statement.

The 1 per cent limit on pay rises on top of the imposed increase in pension contributions that will follow a two-year pay freeze was rightly seen as adding insult to injury, and another 300,000 public sector job losses as the cherry on the cake.

But I am in no doubt that what members want is an acceptable settlement, not a prolonged dispute. That is what we are working hard to achieve. The mood music may have changed but ministers must show flexibility if we are to get to a settlement. The government has talked about ‘offers’. To be clear, we have no offer or set of clear proposals about civil service pension reform. When we do, we will consult the civil service sector executive who, I am sure, will want to seek the views of members before taking a final view.

One persistent government line has been to point to poor pensions in the private sector as an excuse for cutting public sector pensions. It is only ‘fair’, they claim. This ignores the fact that successive governments have failed to address the virtual collapse of decent private sector pension provision. The remaining defined benefit schemes are now threatened not by poor investment returns but by technical requirements for valuation. Liabilities have soared because of the link to plunging bond rates. This is the real pensions crisis ministers must address.Finally, season’s greetings to all Prospect members. Oh, and best wishes for a prosperous new year!

Paul Noon

I am in no doubt that what

members want is an acceptable settlement, not a

prolonged dispute. That is what we are

working hard to achieve

THERE ARE two Prospect inserts with this issue:

ENERGY LINES – the newsletter for working members in the energy supply industry sector

PLATFORM – the newsletter for members in the private and public defence industry

IN THIS ISSUE ...7 WORKTIME YOURTIME

A new online resource for anyone striving for a decent work-life balance

9 ENERGY CHALLENGE Industry chiefs wrestle with cash and skills dilemmas at Prospect seminar

10 THEY’RE AT IT AGAIN If you thought MOD had dropped its use of consultants – think again!

11 DEREGULATION THREAT New study clears HSE, but will government take any notice?

13 ALL CHANGE FOR WALES Members at Welsh environment and agriculture bodies face mergers and closures

14 FREE FIAT GIVEAWAY Don’t miss the chance to enter CSMA’s prize draw for a free Fiat 500

26 WORLD SKILLS ON SHOW Prospect’s competition for young scientists and engineers draws the crowds at ExCel

JOANNE O’BRIEN

NEWS Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 3

THE DAY before the pensions strike, six million public sector workers were shocked to hear the government is to impose a virtual pay freeze for two more years after the current two-year freeze comes to an end.

In his pre-budget statement to the Commons, chancellor George Osborne announced that public sector pay awards will be set at an average 1 per cent for 2012 and 2013.

He also instructed the Cabinet Office to review how more local ‘market-facing’ pay could be introduced in civil service departments, so that secretaries of state could make recommendations for their own departments.

And he asked the pay review bodies to report back by July 2012 on making public sector pay more responsive to local labour markets.

With RPI inflation running at 5.4 per cent and CPI inflation at 5 per cent, the pay freeze of the last two years has already meant a cut in living standards of over 10 per cent. With forecast inflation over the next two years and imposed pension contribution increases, public servants will

be left 17-19 per cent worse off over the four years.

General secretary Paul Noon said: “Once again, public servants are being forced to bear the brunt of this recession, even though they are not to blame.

“It’s not militants who are itching for a fight, it’s the government. Our members are moderate specialists and profes-

sionals, whose expertise is often in short supply, and whose skills command a higher premium in the private sector.”

Figures compiled by the Office for National Statistics show that in 2010, employees with a degree or equivalent qualification on average earned around 5.7 per cent less in the public sector than the private sector. The much-publicised pay lead for the public sector reported in the media is an

average figure, meaningless unless equiva-lent jobs are being compared, said Noon.

Osborne also announced he is bringing forward an increase in the state pension age – story, page 5. Noon added: “By unilat-erally announcing a change in the pension age to 67 and by capping pay increases at 1 per cent, George Osborne has made it even harder to reach a deal on pensions.”

EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS VOTE YES FOR PROSPECTMEMBERS OF Aspect, a 4,000-strong union for professionals in education and children’s services, have voted by 93 per cent in favour of transferring into Prospect from January 2012. Aspect will become an autonomous professional group within Prospect, at a time when education and children’s services face major challenges due to spending cuts in local authorities and related bodies.

YOUR NEW FRIEND AT WORKA GOOD work-life balance may seem a forlorn hope in the current uncertain economic climate.

The impact of a long hours culture on the health, productivity and safety of workers can be devastating, whether it’s the result of organisational change or just increasing workload.

Reports to Prospect indicate that pressure in the workplace is taking an increasing toll on the health of members.

Against this backdrop Prospect is launching an online resource for members in the new year.

Called Worktime Yourtime, the project is intended to provide infor-mation on how flexible working arrangements can help achieve a better work-life balance, either through measures to break the long-hours culture or practices to help balance caring responsibilities with work.

■ Worktime Yourtime – page 7

INTENSIVE TALKS are being held between civil service unions and the Cabinet Office in an attempt to break the logjam over public service pensions.

Prospect negotiators are meeting officials twice a week despite the continued unhelpful comments by ministers in the wake of the success of the day of action and latterly, Lord Hutton.

Dai Hudd, deputy general secretary, said: “Progress on key issues has been slow and on some issues non-existent. There remain severe obstacles to coming to an agreement but we understand the main features of a scheme that will be required to secure the support of members and we will continue to push for an outcome that is fair and meets that objective.”

He warned that the chancellor’s further two-year pay freeze would make it more difficult to achieve a settlement in the pensions dispute.

“It will add hugely to the hardship of members at the very time they are threat-ened with an increase in pension contribu-tions. Many members I spoke to on the picket line were outraged at the decision, which bears all the hallmark of a vendetta against public servants rather than a reasoned response to economic pressures.”

Prospect and almost all the 20 unions campaigning for a fair deal have been

buoyed by the success of the pensions day of action, which has added to the pressure on government to make further concessions.

An estimated two million workers defied pleas from ministers and front-page headlines in the press to go on strike on November 30, including 26,000 Prospect members in the civil service sector.

Faced by disruption to schools, hospitals, council and government services, the reaction of the public was the opposite to that predicted by ministers.

Despite only 20 per cent of the working population being in the public sector, support for the strike action ranged from 39 per cent (recorded by the Sunday Times) to 61 per cent (BBC poll).

■ STRIKE REPORTS, TWEETS AND PICTURES – PAGES 15-24

Natural History

Museum member

Theresa Brown

(front cover) joined

Prospect on the day

of the strike in order

to take part in the

day of action. She

was interviewed on

the picket line for the Prospect TV video of

the day. Watch it at the Prospect YouTube

channel or: http://bit.ly/uWBq4j

STRIKE SUCCESS BOOSTS CAMPAIGN FOR FAIR DEAL

Cap means four years of pay cuts

■■ Paul■Noon■talks■to■Simon■Innocent■on■the■BIS■picket■line■on■November■30

ELEANOR BENTALL

■■ Osborne■–■public■service■pay■must■respond■to■market

REX FEATURES

STEFANO CAGNONI

Profile

4 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

NEWS

ON NOVEMBER 1, Prospect celebrated its 10th birthday as the union for professionals.

Formed from the merger of IPMS (Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists) and EMA (Engineers’ and Managers’ Association), the new union started life with 104,000 members.

Ten years on, membership has grown to 119,000 after further mergers with Connect, the Jersey Civil Service Association, the Association of Guernsey Civil Servants and the Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers.

Hopes are high that Aspect, another specialist union with around 4,000 members, will vote to merge with Prospect in the new year.

Nigel Titchen, president of Prospect, had this to say about the last 10 years:

“On November 1, 2001 a new union was born. It brought together the tradition and experience of IPMS and EMA, both of which had distinguished histories serving their specialist memberships.

“Prospect, as the union was named, was the product of a vision to create a specialist, professional union to protect and promote members’ interests across the UK economy. It brought together members from public and private sectors, and from widely different backgrounds and industries, to forge a common bond.

“The intervening decade has seen both challenges and successes for the union and its members. Since its creation, Prospect has attracted several other unions who share our vision. Connect was the latest and we hope to welcome colleagues in Aspect to join us in January.

“Within and without the trade union movement, Prospect is now widely regarded as a moderate and positive force for good by employers, politicians and the public.

“Today we stand on the brink of a new decade for Prospect. I am confident we will build upon the strong foundations of the past 10 years and go forward in strength, attracting and protecting our members in the challenging times ahead.”

2012 SUBS RISE IS HALVEDTHE NEC has halved the 2012 increase in subscriptions due for Prospect’s banded structure because of the difficult economic conditions facing members.

Instead of the 5 per cent increase that would have applied if the NEC had used the established formula for setting subs rates, the executive has agreed a 2.5 per cent increase to apply from January 1.

There will be no change to the position in the energy supply industry sector, whose subscriptions continue to be covered by the 0.55 per cent of earnings formula. Rates for members in the Connect sector increased in July and will not be affected by the change.

Letters are now going out to notify members of the rates for next year, asking them to check that any change in their salary has not moved them into a new salary band.

In years when a biennial conference is held, the increase in subscriptions for the banded structure the following January is decided by conference. In years when there is no conference, like 2011, the increase the following January is normally decided by reference to the movement in the retail prices index in the preceding July.

This year’s July RPI figure was 5 per cent. The NEC thought that imposing such an increase at a time when average earnings in the public sector are barely 2 per cent would be an unfair addition to the burden on members.

General secretary Paul Noon said: “Very few members have achieved a pay increase anywhere near 5 per cent and many thousands of Prospect members are enduring a two-year pay freeze.

“In these circumstances the national executive thought it was only right to adopt a common-sense approach to next year’s increase rather than automatically follow the established formula.”

Times are hard. Pay rises are scarce, indeed many people face pay freezes or even pay cuts. Pensions are being eroded by inflation and with energy prices rising steeply increasing numbers of people are being forced into fuel poverty. Against this background it is more important than ever to control household expenditure. Fortunately, Prospect Energy, a service set up in partnership with Uchange4better, can help.Using our service you can compare all the energy suppliers and tariffs in the UK and could save £230 or more. Indeed some members of Prospect have saved £300 a year or more by using this comparison service, easily offseting the membership fees for Prospect.THE SERVICE IS FREE – there is no charge and you will also help Prospect to campaign for union members as Prospect is paid every time someone switches energy supply using this service.So try it! You could save yourself money after Christmas. See the link below or visit the home page of the Prospect website (www.prospect.org.uk).www.prospect.uchange4better.co.uk

JANUARY 2012 RATESBand Threshold per month per year

£ £ £

Special*Lower 0

1.15 13.80Upper 12,095

Band 1Lower 12,096

6.45 77.40Upper 17,271

Band 2Lower 17,272

8.87 106.44Upper 21,300

Band 3Lower 21,301

11.29 135.48Upper 26,481

Band 4Lower 26,482

14.28 171.36Upper 35,690

Band 5Lower 35,691

16.54 198.48Upper —

Retired (annual) 3.23 38.76Retired (life) – 387.60*For members who are unemployed, on unpaid leave, on unpaid maternity leave or in between contracts

ESI SECTOR (WHERE THERE IS RECOGNITION)Full member paying by check-off (from salary, credit card, debit card or direct debit)

0.55% of gross basic salary capped at 252 pa (exceptions apply in particular branches)

Prospect is 10

Titchen: Within and without the trade union movement, Prospect is widely regarded as a moderate and positive force for good by employers, politicians and the public

Helping you cope with tough times

STEFANO CAGNONI

NEWS Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 5

PROSPECT IS to consider an appeal after the High Court rejected its bid to overturn the government’s decision to change the basis for uprating social security and pension benefits.

Reacting to the decision, Paul Noon, general secretary, said: “The High Court may have found that the government had the right to do this but it does not represent justice for the millions of pensioners who will see their income slashed as a result.”

Prospect and seven other unions and pensioner organi-sations had challenged the government’s decision to switch the index for increasing pensions from the retail prices index (RPI) to the consumer prices index (CPI), which is generally lower. The change was announced in the June 2010 Budget without prior consultation and took effect from April 2011.

Long term, the Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that CPI will be 1.4 per cent lower than RPI. Compounded over many years of retirement, that will result in average losses of between 15 and 25 per cent of the total value of members’ pensions.

The Department for Work and Pensions calculates that this will reduce the value of pensions accrued in the private

sector (including those of many Prospect members in BT, BAE, Serco and other schemes) by over £70bn. The impact on state benefits and public service pensions will be even higher.

Prospect argued that in deciding to switch to CPI the government had put its desire to cut the deficit ahead of its duty to consider changes in the general level of prices.

While all three judges agreed that this was the case, two found the government was within its rights to do so. One judge found the government’s actions unlawful and was minded to quash the decision.

The majority ruling means that pensions and benefits linked to the government’s order will increase by 5.2 rather than 5.6 per cent from April 2012.

Many other pensions in the private sector remain linked to RPI. However, where the increase is subject to a cap of 5 per cent, this figure will apply next April rather than the September RPI of 5.6 per cent, as few employers are exercising discretion to grant increases above 5 per cent.

■■ The full judgement is at www.judiciary.gov.uk/media/judgments/2011/staff-side-police-negotiating-board-v-sec-state-works-pensions-others

PENSION AGE HIKE TO HIT PRIVATE SECTORPUBLIC SERVICE workers are not the only group to be hit by recent changes to pension policy. In his autumn statement, the chancellor announced that increases to state pension age would be brought forward. While this has a direct impact on the negotiations over public service pensions it will also have a huge effect on private sector workers as it will delay the age they can afford to retire.

Previously, the government had announced that state pension age would reach 66 for men and women from October 2020. SPA will now increase from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and April 2028.

This means that workers born after April 1961 will have an SPA of 67; while those born between April 1960 and April 1961 will have an SPA of between 66 and 67.

Officially, SPA is not due to increase to 68 until 2046 (a phased increase from 67 for people born after April 1977) but it now seems likely that this increase will also be brought forward. Almost certainly, it brings closer the day that an SPA higher than 68 is introduced

Late November also saw an announce-ment from the pensions minister that the government is delaying the requirement for private sector employers to contribute to employees’ pensions for the first time.

Employers with fewer than 50 staff will now have the requirement delayed for over a year, from 2014 to 2015. Employers with up to 3,000 staff will see a delay of several months. There will also be a delay in phasing employer contribu-tions to their full level under the legislation.

Prospect pensions officer, Neil Walsh (right), said: “It is unfortunate that the political consensus on the need for employers to make pension contributions on behalf of employees has been undermined. Far from reducing burdens on employers, the extra uncertainty will create more difficulties implementing the new regime.”

Meanwhile, a consultation by European regulatory authorities has raised further concerns about the future of private sector defined benefit provision in the UK.

Walsh said: “An unthinking extension of insurance rules known as Solvency II to occupational schemes could result in employers being asked to boost scheme reserves by hundreds of millions of pounds. Instead of improving security for members, this could simply drive employers away from this form of pension provision.”

£800,000 ANNIVERSARYTwenty-five years ago members of IPCS, Prospect’s predecessor union, voted at their conference to launch an Africa Appeal Fund after hearing an account of the famine sweeping Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Sudan. The next Profile will feature how members have since raised more than £800,000 to support Oxfam’s work in the developing world.

DON’T MISS THIS!This issue of Profile carries an offer from CSMA that is too good to ignore: an exclusive opportunity for anyone joining CSMA Club by January 31 to enter a prize draw and win a Fiat 500. See the back page and page 14 for details.

High Court rejects union bid to block RPI-CPI switch

JOANNE O’BRIEN

■■ Dai■Hudd■(second■left)■joins■Prospect■members■protesting■outside■the■High■Court

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NEWSProfile

6 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

PROSPECT HAS backed a call by a key Commons committee for the prime minister to review the decision to close the Forensic Science Service. At prime minister’s questions in October, Andrew Miller, chair of the science and technology committee, said a review was necessary as the financial arguments used to justify closure were flawed.

Deputy general secretary Mike Clancy supported his call “before vital forensic skills are lost to the country for ever… most skilled scientists leaving FSS do not return to the profession.”

When the closure was announced last December, ministers claimed FSS was losing £2m a month. But this ignored savings coming online following a transforma-tion programme. And, according to the home affairs select committee, the costs of winding up the FSS have risen to a staggering £125m in 2010-11.

The science and technology committee’s report into the closure concluded: “The government did not consider enough evidence in its decision-making. The impacts on research and development, on the capacity of private providers to absorb the FSS’s market share, on the future of the archives and on the wider impacts to the criminal justice system appear to have been hastily overlooked in favour of the financial bottom line. Examining the possible impacts of a decision after the decision has been made contradicts the concept of evidence informing policy.”

Three FSS labs at Chorley, Chepstow and Priory House, Birmingham, have already closed. Laboratories at Wetherby, Lambeth, Huntingdon and Trident Court, Birmingham, are winding down and will close by next April.

THE MET IS NOT GCHQ, PROSPECT REMINDS NO-STRIKE ENTHUSIASTSPROSPECT HAS had to defend the right of specialist staff working in the Metropolitan Police Service to take strike action.

In its submission to the Winsor review of police pay and conditions, the Association of Chief Police Officers urged removal of the right to strike in order to ‘assure service resil-ience’. ACPO used the example of GCHQ, the government communications headquarters, to support its case.

But Prospect argued that the no-strike clause at GCHQ was part of a 1997 agreement made by unions to restore recognition and reinstate staff who had been dismissed for being union members. The agreement had acknowledged that, as a security service, GCHQ’s work is unique.

Negotiator Mike Sparham said: “The decision to strike is never an easy one but any proposal to remove the right will be bitterly resisted. The European Court of Human Rights has unanimously ruled that the right to strike is a human right recognised and protected in international law.

“It can only be limited in narrowly defined circumstances which must be provided for by law, have a legitimate aim, and be necessary in a democratic society. Removing the right to strike from police staff would not satisfy these tests.”

MPs join call for forensic review

ANDREW W

IARD

■ GCHQ – 1997 n0-strike deal was to end long-running dispute

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 7

STRIKING A BALANCE

WORKTIME YOURTIME

ONCE THE festivities are over and the tinsel is back in its box, thoughts may turn to the start of another year and the opportunity to cast a fresh eye across life, make changes and start as you mean to go on.

If you feel that your working life is taking more than a fair share of your time and energy, and that the balance between work and the rest of your life has become a little skewed, you may be interested in a new Prospect resource being launched early in 2012.

Its origins lie in a resolution to the 2010 Prospect conference, which instructed the union to publicise good practice on ‘agile working policies’ across workplaces where the union is recognised, as a means of promoting an appropriate work-life balance.

The result is a project that builds on an earlier campaign run successfully by Connect – Worktime Yourtime – which promoted flexible options to achieving a

better work-life balance while recognising that no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach will fit a union as diverse as Prospect.

“The Worktime Yourtime campaign in Connect was driven by members finding it harder to get a work-life balance that worked for them”, said Aveen McHugh, assistant secretary.

“Flexibility is at its heart – people need options that meet their needs while employers must recognise that flexibility is a two-way process. It can work. We’ve seen growth in a wide range of flexible working options that has delivered real benefits and practical solutions for employees and the employer.

“But with the current squeeze on resources we are seeing a greater expecta-tion of longer working hours and increased pressure. This campaign gives people

practical tools and ideas they can use to help regain control over when and where they work in a way that works for them.”

Practical toolsThe new Worktime Yourtime area of Prospect’s re-launched website pulls together a suite of guidance materials, leaflets and posters, with new resources that will augment much of the union’s work on equalities, health and safety, organising and skills.

The home page offers a link to a simple hours check calculator where members can tot up how their unpaid overtime translates into hours, or even days, worked for free. There is also a spreadsheet that can act as a useful tool to track and tally unpaid hours to support a case when trying to reclaim

the time. The content offers easily accessible

resources and guidance for tackling issues from stress and caring responsibilities to putting together a request for flexible working. But it acknowledges that a two-tier approach may be needed, so there is advice for individuals as well as ideas for colleagues to pull together and form a collective response.

Other material includes:■● case studies from across Prospect’s

membership, covering a range of private and public sector experiences

■● a suite of factual information about flexible working options, such as home-based working, part-time, compressed hours and term-time working, with practical tips and negotiating advice.

Prospect’s head of research and specialist

services, Sue Ferns, said: “From the outset the NEC recognised the cross-cutting nature of the issues involved in this work. We were tasked to produce material that would supplement the usual routes for support in terms of representation and legal services. But there is no denying that the launch of the campaign comes at a time when the political and economic climate poses additional challenges and intensifies others.

“The reports we are getting from members mirror the picture emerging in national surveys and health metrics – one of deteriorating mental health, with worker absenteeism and reduced productivity increasingly linked to depression and anxiety.

“Stress is fast becoming the ‘common cold’ of mental health.”

Complaints about long hours and poor job security have been accompanied by requests for stress surveys and stress training courses, said Ferns. Rising stress levels are often a factor in harassment and bullying cases and there could well be an increase in those.

As a result, she said, Prospect has developed additional areas of support, including:

■● enhancing the stress web pages to create a mental health portal

■● developing the members’ assistance programme (MAP)

■● promoting body-mapping techniques through a new factcard, a podcast and branch seminars.

The new year sees the launch of Worktime Yourtime, a new Prospect website resource designed to help members cope with the growing pressures they may face at work

2010 CONFERENCE RESOLUTION ... THE national executive committee is instructed to publicise good agile working policies in Prospect recognised workplaces, which allow members, for example, to work from home and/or vary their hours to fit the requirements of both work/life balance and the job. The aim should be for Prospect to promote the further extension of such policies and agreements particularly in situations where people face lengthy or difficult journeys to their ‘hub’ workplace and to publicise good practice as an example of what a unionised workforce and workplace can achieve.

■●

Missed opportunity as carbon project axedPROSPECT HAS condemned the govern-ment for a “penny-wise and pound-foolish” approach after it pulled out of the carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration project at Longannet in Scotland.

In addition to the loss of skilled jobs in Fife, the decision means the UK will miss the opportunity to lead the world in the development of CCS technology.

Prospect negotiator Jim Cooper said the design at Scottish Power’s coal-fired plant would have provided a model for retro-fitting to coal and gas power stations around the world. Longannet was also the only remaining site in the government competi-tion for up to £1bn of funding to develop CCS technology. Crucially, it had succeeded in providing a blueprint for a functioning commercial model.

Contract confidentiality means the full facts as to why the negotiations broke down may never be known. But it is understood that the total cost of the project was £1.6bn. The introduction of the carbon floor tax probably made Iberdrola, Scottish Power’s Spanish owners, less inclined to spend any more money on a coal-burning power station, Cooper said.

“On top of that the government was insisting on the company committing to a 15 per cent contingency fund over and above

the project costs, and a further £300m to cover cost overruns.”

Despite the energy secretary’s claim that a billion pounds is enough to demonstrate this new technology in the UK, the end-of-negotiations problems Scottish Power encountered could easily resurface for any of the remaining four CCS projects the govern-ment says it will fund.

After the Longannet announcement the Department of Energy and Climate Change trumpeted the launch of a flagship test CCS programme at Ferrybridge coal-fired power station.

Worth more than £20m, the project is a partnership between Scottish and Southern Energy, Doosan Power Systems and Vattenfall. But unlike Longannet, Ferrybridge is not on a commercial scale.

■■ Cooper■–■Longannet■a■model■for■the■world

Lessons from FukushimaHUMILITY AND leader-ship will be crucial for the nuclear industry to learn the safety lessons from events at Japan’s Fukushima plant earlier this year.

That was the message from John Donald, superin-tending inspector of nuclear installations at the Office for Nuclear Regulation, who gave Prospect’s energy seminar (see opposite) an overview of what had been learned to date.

His presentation followed the final report from chief nuclear inspector Dr Mike Weightman, who praised the UK industry for

its strong leadership on safety and its safety culture. In turn, Weightman was

thanked by deputy general secretary Mike Clancy for his “welcome recognition of the professionalism demon-strated by site operators and

the UK’s nuclear workforce.”Donald is currently

leading the European stress test teams post-Fukushima. He told delegates the ONR had been formed in April as a statutory corporation, giving it some independ-ence from the Health and Safety Executive.

Its creation was the result of a number of pertinent questions the regulator had asked of the UK, since the Japanese regulator had been criticised for lacking independence after Fukushima.

“We are currently moving away from just

reviewing where we are and trying to introduce improve-ments to resilience and safety,” he said. “We are on the cusp of that change – though some review activi-ties will, I’m sure, go on for years.”

Donald stressed that Weightman had found no reason to curtail nuclear operations in the UK. As flood risks were unlikely, there was no need to change the present siting strategy or depart from the multi-plant site concept.

But, he warned, no one could predict what the next accident would look like.

Profile

8 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

ANOTHER REASON FOR UNION PROTECTIONThere are many reasons for being in Prospect. Here Wil Woan, a regional development officer with the Big Lottery Fund, recounts what impressed him

NEARLY TWO years ago my wife and son were knocked off their bike on the way to nursery by a 4x4. Thankfully they were not seriously hurt – the driver sped away and left the scene but a passer-by got the number plate.

I checked with Prospect about legal aid and was pleased to hear that Prospect could support us in a compensation claim. My wife is a professional singer and suffered whiplash and a cracked elbow and missed a number of auditions; my son, then aged five, had bruising to the arm and was shaken up but physi-cally was pretty much OK.

Prospect put us in touch with their solicitors, Russell Jones & Walker, who were fantastic in supporting us through the whole process. They provided professional advice and assistance and were very prepared to take our case through the courts.

After hospital medicals and interviews with solicitors and

police, the ‘numpty’ who knocked them off admitted respon-sibility and we settled out of court for loss of earnings and injuries sustained.

At the end of this process we received a letter from RJW which told us how much Prospect had done for us. Much of it had been behind the scenes and much of it we were unaware of. Our solicitor told us how professional Prospect had been and how impressed they were with the follow-up and personal care they had given my family.

Prospect’s personal injury scheme provides quality legal advice for members, at work and in their private lives. Prospect works closely with its solicitors RJW who have a wealth of experience in civil and criminal law.

We can’t thank Prospect and RJW enough.

CLAIMLINEIf you feel you have a personal injury claim or would like to talk to an expert, call the 24-hour Prospect ClaimLine on the number below. You will have the reassurance of knowing that a legal specialist will handle your claim quickly and efficiently.

0800 587 4543

PAUL HERRMANN

■ Wil Woan with his wife Sally and

son Mikey, who were helped by Prospect’s

legal scheme after they were knocked

off their bike

■■ Donald■–■nuclear■industry■

needs■humility■

and■leadership

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 9

IS THE government’s energy policy fit for purpose? That was the question posed at a recent Prospect seminar that brought together key stakeholders from across the industry spectrum.

Outlining the scale of the challenge facing the UK, energy minister Charles Hendry said £200bn in investment was needed to fund new infrastructure, “or twice as much every year over the next 10 years as was spent during the last decade.”

While the market had delivered price advantages to date, a new structure was essential to attract investment and that was at the heart of the government’s policy proposals.

Although regretful over the collapse of the Longannet carbon capture and storage project (story, page 8), Hendry was full of praise for the UK’s energy workers: “The people working in the nuclear fleet now are the people we want to be carrying out the decommissioning work on some of the old plants and using those skills to build a new fleet of nuclear power stations.”

EDF Energy’s chief executive Vincent de Rivaz put the issue of trust at the heart of the nuclear industry post-Fukushima; other key issues were consumer disquiet over prices and the financial crisis facing Europe.

EDF’s response to Fukushima had been to re-open visitor centres and invite the public to visit plants, with daily reports via websites on the status of the stations and the choices to be made over future energy generation.

This “greater transparency, honesty and openness” was necessary, because “I recognise that people do not always believe the energy companies even when we give

Mike Clancy, deputy general secretary (left), with John Hutton, chair of the Nuclear Industry Association and former energy secretary, discussing the future of the nuclear supply chain at the first of three lunchtime seminars organised by Prospect in November at Birchwood Park, near Warrington. Subsequent events heard Mark Higson, chief

executive of the Office for Nuclear Development, discuss the future of the nuclear industry; and Jean Llewellyn, chief executive of the National Skills Academy, spoke on embedding the nuclear skills passport in the supply chain. Work is underway to organise further events in west Cumbria and Gloucestershire during the new year

RECOGNITION BOOST AT NDAMEMBERS AT the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority had cause to celebrate this autumn after Prospect won recognition rights at the clean-up body. On a turnout of two-thirds of the workforce, over 70 per cent voted in favour when asked if they wished Prospect to bargain on their behalf. A previous ballot had returned an overwhelming vote in favour of collective bargaining.

Branch chair Simon Norris (right), said: “I am delighted we received a decisive vote with a high turnout. This gives us a platform to take staff representation to a new level and give union members a real say in their employment.” Negotiations officer, Jez Stewart, added: “Historically, there was an absence of negotiating rights when it came to pay, hours and holidays. We are committed to this welcome development which will further enhance the relationship between the union and the NDA.”

Where to find the cash and where to find the people – questions debated by some of the energy industry’s top decision-makers at a Prospect seminar in November

A QUESTION OF TRUSTthe facts, which is why I said some time ago that trust must be rebuilt.”

Trust was also vital to productivity, so the company wanted to create “a new social covenant between us, our contractors and unions.

“Too often in the construction industry there are divergent and entrenched positions on working conditions with management on one side and unions on the other.”

A panel session heard Prospect’s deputy general secretary Mike Clancy warn that if the UK is to succeed in creating decarbon-ised and diverse energy generation sources, then reform of the electricity market had to answer the question: “Why invest here and why invest now?

“At present we have good relations with the current generation of owners. But if the investment cycle in their home market is at odds with investment needs in the UK, if the policy of their home government is different to the UK, can we be confident that the investment will come here at the right time?”

Guy Johnson, from RWE Npower, said the success of any reform would depend on:

● affordability for consumers ● developing economic growth in the UK and ensuring the benefits reach the supply chain

● avoiding a hiatus in investment ● encouraging new investors to the market. But a more critical viewpoint came from

former energy minister Alan Whitehead. Speaking in a personal capacity, he said the reform proposals were distorted.

“Capacity payments, the arrangements

for contracts for difference, the carbon price floor and energy performance standards are not necessarily the pillars of reform which one would choose if one was to start from a blank form.

“They have arisen because a number of assumptions about policy priorities are not related to market reform itself. They are there because a coalition document says they should be there and that concerns me.”

In particular, he pointed to the issue of nuclear subsidies. The government needed to decide whether there should be a subsidy or not, “debate that up front and place it squarely into the mechanism rather than have distortions such as a renewables obligation of the future.”

■ A full report is in December’s Energylines, the newsletter for members in energy and decommissioning. Go to http://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2011/04220.

■■ Rivaz■–■invite■public

■■ Whitehead■–■critical■of■coalition

■■ Hendry■–■praise■for■workers

■■ Johnson■–■back■investors

PICTURES: JONATHAN EELES

Profile

10 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

DEFENCE

A PROSPECT freedom of information request has revealed that the Ministry of Defence spent nearly £600m on consult-ants in the last two years despite the new government’s pledge to cut back on their use.

The union has now urged the MOD to refer the scandal surrounding the misuse of funds, originally intended for external technical assistance, to the Defence Fraud Analysis Unit.

The scheme – Framework Agreement for Technical Support, known as FATS – was originally intended for use by MOD project teams that required niche support that could not be supplied by in-house specialists.

In 2006 MOD spent £6m on this kind of support but in the last two years the figure has ballooned to £564m. Worse, the

scheme’s protocol for awarding contracts has broken down.

The scheme should exclude manage-ment consultants and work should be subject to open competition. However, the department’s internal audit of the scheme shows that guidelines were ignored and contracts awarded without competition to some of the UK’s biggest defence manufac-turers rather than the niche companies it was intended for.

Worse still, the scheme was used to award contracts to legal firms. National secretary Steve Jary said: “The rules require the business case to provide evidence of knowledge transfer – so that MOD learns from experience and doesn’t have to go outside again. Yet ongoing legal support for procurement of the Astute submarine boat 4, which is not yet built, was £500,000 for five months’ work.

“Who else buys submarines and has direct experience of buying three of this particular submarine? Certainly not a city law firm. And why haven’t they learnt what to do from the previous three?”

GOVERNMENT ‘SLEEPWALKING INTO DEFENCE SKILLS CRISIS’ AS MORE BAE JOBS GOTHE LATEST round of redun-dancies at BAE Systems will devastate communities that depend on defence work, says Prospect, warning that they are a body blow to manufac-turing that will only add to the UK’s economic woes.

Negotiator Tony Hammond said the 3,000 job losses were a grim reminder

that defence cutbacks were still filtering through to industry.

“When the country is crying out for highly skilled specialists to help kick some life into the economy, BAE is being forced to make job cuts because of the coali-tion’s defence policies. The government is sleepwalking

through a skills crisis of its own making.”

In December 2010, BAE announced 1,400 redundan- cies because of government decisions in the strategic defence and security review to scrap the RAF Nimrod fleet

and the early retirement of the Harrier jet. The latest cuts affect Typhoon and Hawk production at Brough, East Yorkshire,

Samlesbury and Warton, in Lancashire. About 1,400 jobs are due to go at Samlesbury and Warton and a further 900 at Brough.

Most of the planned cuts will be in BAE’s

military aircraft division, which is being affected by a slowdown in orders for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter

A SURVEY of Prospect members in the Ministry of Defence has revealed a shocking decline in morale and a breakdown in trust between staff and MOD’s leaders.

The results from over 1,000 respondents to

Prospect urges fraud probe after it reveals huge misuse of consultantsMOD’s crazy logic is starting to ring alarm bells in Whitehall

All the money used on the FATS scheme comes from the department’s equipment programme budget, already overstretched from cuts arising from the strategic defence and security review and the comprehensive spending review.

Jary said the union would be pressing MOD to keep its promise earlier this year that any savings identified by unions could be used to offset the planned reduction of 33,000 civilian staff.

MOD had been cutting its in-house capability without cutting its outputs, Jary said. “It had no choice but to get this work done elsewhere at huge additional cost. And it has been dishonest: ministers were not told what would happen if they cut specialist staff and FATS was designed to keep the real costs out of sight.

“Faced with swingeing, across-the-board cuts the last thing the department needs is a bill for £600m for outside technical assistance. The tragedy is that MOD is busy making its specialist staff, who would normally undertake that technical work, redundant. It is madness,” said Jary.

‘Faced with

swingeing cuts, the

last thing the

department needs is

a bill for £600m for

outside technical

assistance. The

tragedy is that MOD

is busy making its

specialist staff

redundant’

Prospect’s online survey show: ● just 4 per cent thought cuts could be

achieved without damaging support to front-line troops

● 92 per cent said MOD’s leadership was under-

mining their morale and commitment to MOD ● 77 per cent said they had no confidence in

the ability of senior management to deliver the changes planned

● only 18 per cent want to stay with MOD. The rest would leave if suitable work was available elsewhere.

National secretary Steve Jary said the level of concern and anger among staff was astonishing.

“These views are not borne out of self-interest. They betray a deep concern about the safety and effectiveness of our armed forces.

“As civil servants, our members cannot say these things publicly. But our survey shows that they are not lone voices.

“We urge the government to sit up and take notice.”

Prospect has passed the survey findings to MOD and is awaiting a response.

FOUR IN FIVE STAFF WANT TO LEAVE MOD

MOD members vote at their annual meeting

PICTURES: STEFANO CAGNONI

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 11

GOVERNMENT TO BRUSH ASIDE REPORT FINDINGSTHE GOVERNMENT is using a review of health and safety regulation to make changes that go well beyond its recommendations, Prospect warned in November.

Earlier this year Professor Ragnar Löfstedt was commissioned to look at the alleged ‘burdens’ on business that the prime minister blames on health and safety regulations.

Löfstedt proposed consolidation by reducing regulations by 35 per cent, but health and safety minister Chris Grayling last month proposed their reduction by “over a half”.

The government is also creating challenge panels from January 2012, saying they will enable businesses to “get the decisions of health and safety inspectors overturned immediately if they have got it wrong.”

This was despite Löfstedt’s finding that: “I have neither seen nor heard any evidence to suggest that there is a case for radically altering or stripping back current health and safety regulation.” In general the regulations are “fit for purpose,” he said.

Prospect welcomed his observations that: ● nearly nine out of ten employers who

have had contact with the Health and Safety Executive see it as a ‘helpful’ organisation

● health and safety regulations from Europe are not gold-plated and the government should work more closely with the EU to

ensure legislation is risk and evidence-based.But Prospect urged caution on Löftstedt’s

call to review the ‘strict liability’ of employers, who are made legally responsible for their

actions regardless of culpability. Moves to reduce this liability could jeopardise worker compensation, it has warned.

Deputy general secretary Mike Clancy said: “The government has not got what it wanted from Lofstedt, and has now stated that its efforts will not stop with the actions outlined in his report.

“The announcement of challenge panels from January 2012 is an example of it choosing to use a policy review to smuggle in further reforms without consultation.”

Neil Hope-Collins, chair of Prospect’s HSE branch, agreed. “The government looks as if it is responding to a completely different report,” he said. “For instance, the only challenge panel mentioned by Löfstedt was one to allow the public to challenge event organisers using health and safety as an excuse for cancelling or banning something.”

Hope-Collins pointed to the resource impli-cations of some recommendations, despite HSE staff numbers falling by a third after years of funding cuts.

Highlighting the review’s narrow remit, Prospect health and safety officer Sarah Page added: “Not one injury or illness is likely to be prevented by the government’s agenda.”

HEALTH & SAFETY

PLANS TO charge companies for safety breaches found by Health and Safety Executive inspectors must be introduced with care, and funds raised must not be syphoned off by the Treasury, Prospect said in October.

Responding to an HSE consultation on extending the principle of cost recovery to new industries, the union said it supports the idea that HSE should fund more of its costs from employers who create significant risks, but it has major concerns about how the new system will be run, including the potential disproportionate impact on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Prospect deputy general secretary Mike Clancy said: “For years, HSE has been trying to do the same for less, but now it is reaching breaking point. So it has no choice but to seek new ways to meet its commitments.”

The union believes any money raised should be returned to the HSE to avert the loss of key specialist staff forced out by the government’s 35 per cent funding cuts.

Some sectors, such as nuclear and electricity, are already subject to forms of cost recovery. But these are large, highly regulated employers with well developed support systems.

HSE is proposing to extend its current systems of cost recovery to include a flat-rate ‘fee for intervention’, where an inspector charges for the inspection and any subsequent actions after a material fault

ARE YOU LISTENING, MINISTER?PROSPECT’S MIKE Clancy has asked the deputy prime minister to explain why he has failed to respond to an open letter sent in October.

Clancy had protested at a speech by Nick Clegg on cutting red tape, which called for a change of culture at the Health and Safety Executive.

He invited Clegg to meet him, and to accompany a health and safety inspector to find out the true facts about inspections.

The government should await the findings of the Löfstedt review before pronouncing on changes to HSE’s legal framework, he said at the time.

is found. For an inspection that results in a letter, the cost to business is estimated at £750 or more.

Increasing the financial pressure on SMEs makes no sense when growth is key to economic recovery, says Prospect. Furthermore, a material breach may not be wilful, and can be the result of lack of knowledge and/or resources.

“It is counter-productive to create a culture where organisations come to resent inspections, when the priority is to work with them to prevent accidents and keep workers safe.”

The charging consultation arose from the government’s March 2011 strategy document, Good Health and Safety, Good for Everyone, which outlined plans to reduce proactive HSE inspections by a third.

“Be it on inspections or charging, govern-ment strategy is unfortunately focused on cutting costs rather than saving lives and avoiding accidents,” Clancy said.

■ See Prospect’s response at http://library.prospect.org.uk/id/2011/04021

Safety charges must be fair to small firms, says Prospect

■■ HSE■inspectors■at■work■–■Prospect■says■their■organisation■has■reached■breaking■point

■■ HSE■member■

on■a■union■protest■against■

cuts

■ Grayling plans to cut regulations by over half, but Löfstedt (right) recommended only 35 per cent

JESS HURD/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK

■ Hope-Collins – response is to a different report

■ Page – not one injury will be prevented by government agenda

Profile

12 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

PAY

THE CHANCELLOR’S autumn statement confirmed the worst fears of the govern-ment’s critics: its cuts programme is failing to produce economic growth and the result is more bad news for pay.

Compared with the March budget, growth forecasts for the current year have been reduced from 1.7 per cent to 0.9 per cent. For 2012 they are reduced to just 0.7 per cent – down from 2.5 per cent. The Office for Budget Responsibility expects no real growth at all in the first half of next year, pushing the UK peril-ously close to a double-dip recession. And the OBR’s forecasts do not even take account of the crisis in the eurozone, though it acknowledges there is a signifi-cant downside risk if this is not resolved.

So the odds are that the March 2012 budget forecasts for GDP growth will be downgraded further, with a consequen-tial impact on spending cuts, unemploy-ment and real disposable incomes. This comes on top of a record post-war cut of 2.3 per cent in real household dispos-able income and an expectation that unemployment will rise to 8.7 per cent in 2012. A major reason for this grim forecast is the predicted loss of 710,000 public sector jobs compared with the 400,000 anticipated at the time of the compre-hensive spending review.

Divisive and unfairFor the public sector, the chancellor announced a further extension of pay restraint, with pay awards set at an average 1 per cent for each of the two years after the current two-year pay freeze comes to an end. Departmental budgets will be adjusted in line with this policy, except for the health and education budgets where the money saved will be recycled.

The autumn statement is ambiguous about whether the average 1 per cent rise is expected to include progression, and we will have to wait for the 2012-13 pay

OUT-OF-HOURS DEAL FOR MARINE INSPECTORSAFTER MONTHS of talks Prospect has secured a deal with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to compensate members who wish to work on its out-of-hours roster following the introduction of new port regulations.

The deal struck will provide qualified port state control officers with an allowance of £5,000 a year for agreeing an on-call commit-ment of one week in four.

The European Union directive on port state control was introduced in the UK in January. It includes a requirement for MCA to inspect all high-risk vessels entering the UK on a 24-hour, seven-day-a week basis.

But the agency was provided with no extra funding to cover the new out-of-hours require-ments at a time when it was already tackling

recruitment and retention problems and faces a further 20 per cent cut to its budget by 2015.

Prospect negotiator John Ferrett said the government had left MCA between a rock and a hard place, struggling to meet its legal and statutory obligations.

“We argued that failure to comply was leaving the UK open to the risk of infrac-tion proceedings which would financially overshadow the spending on personnel or equipment needed to fulfill the requirement.

“There were real fears that members would be placed under duress to sign up to the roster, so it was important for us to ensure this agreement is entirely voluntary.” Individuals will be able to withdraw from the arrangement if they wish, he said.

As its growth strategy for the private sector hits the buffers, government’s reaction is once again to clobber public servants, says Sue Ferns

STEFANO CAGNONI

KEY INDICATORS %Average earnings (inc bonuses, year to Sep) 2.0

Average earnings (exc bonuses, year to Sep) 1.8

Private sector (inc bonuses, year to Sep) 2.4

Private sector (exc bonuses, year to Sep) 1.7

Public sector (inc bonuses, year to Sep) 2.3

Public sector (exc bonuses, year to Sep) 1.8

Retail Prices Index (year to Oct) 5.4

Consumer Prices Index (year to Oct) 4.2

remit guidance for clarity. For the civil service it seems likely that the govern-ment will maintain its determination only to honour contractual entitlements to progression, thereby perpetuating its divisive two-tier approach.

But that isn’t all. It is also proposed that the minister for the Cabinet Office and the pay review bodies examine how to make public sector pay more respon-sive to local labour markets. This is a tired old rehash of ideas that didn’t work in the 1980s or the 1990s and certainly won’t work now.

Ministers wilfully choose to ignore the fact that the public sector workforce includes a higher percentage of profes-sional and specialist workers than the private sector, so crude comparisons of average pay are meaningless. What does it tell us to learn that a particle physicist is better paid than an outsourced hospital cleaner? The fact is that the private sector has both more low paid jobs and more of the highest earners. Yet the autumn statement is resoundingly silent on the huge bonuses and manifestly unfair pay increases for those on top pay.

Mistaken beliefAs Incomes Data Services has repeatedly pointed out: “There is a mistaken belief in the Treasury that all private sector companies set pay with reference to local labour markets.” In fact, flexibilities tend to be limited to a small number of regional allowances – predominantly linked to the higher cost of living in London and the south-east.

Most Prospect members operate in national, and sometimes international, labour markets. Rather than embark on yet another ill-informed initiative to drive down pay, government would do better to emulate good private sector practice and develop workforce strategies that holisti-cally embrace labour market planning, skills development and reward.

Government in denial

DEVONPORT AND ROSYTH BACK THREE-YEAR DEALSMEMBERS AT both Devonport and Rosyth dockyards have reached agreement on three-year pay deals.

At Babcock’s Devonport yard, the 1,300 Prospect members have accepted an offer from November 1 for an unconsoli-dated lump sum payment of £1,000.

In November 2012, they will receive an unconsolidated lump sum worth £900 and in October 2013, a consolidated increase equivalent to the three-year average of RPI plus 0.5 per cent.

The 2013 increase is guaranteed to be at least 2 per cent and if it exceeds 5 per cent, the excess will be paid as a one-off unconsolidated payment.

Meanwhile, at Rosyth dockyard, the 600-strong branch has accepted an offer backdated to April 1. In year one, members will receive an unconsolidated award of £850, plus an advance of £150 from a performance-related payment for 2012, in recognition of this year’s late award.

In year two, the award is worth £900 plus the rest of the PRP payment of £150. For year three, members will receive a 5 per cent increase in basic pay.

DOUGLAS ROBERTSON

NEWS Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 13

PUBLIC SECTOR FEELS THE PAINTHE IMPACT of the public sector pay freeze is on vivid display in the latest figures compiled by Prospect.

For the year to end November, the average increase secured by Prospect in the private sector was 2.9 per cent compared to 0.5 per cent in the public sector.

The median increase for the private sector was 3 per cent compared with exactly 0 per cent for the public sector.

The figures are drawn from the union’s pay database which details settlements reached across 106 organisations negotiated by Prospect.

In the wider economy, the median three-month settlement recorded by Incomes Data Services is 2.5 per cent.

Average weekly earnings as reported by the Office for National Statistics have slowed over the autumn, from 2.7 per cent down to 2.3 per cent, including bonuses. Excluding bonuses, the average has fallen from 1.8 per cent to 1.7 per cent.

Pay officer Jonathan Green (above) said: “The increases secured by Prospect follow the national trend of a two-speed economy. Every part of the private sector is now receiving increases between 1 and 4 per cent higher than the public sector.”

THE WELSH government has confirmed controversial plans to create a new single environment body for Wales by merging the Welsh sections of the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency with the Countryside Council for Wales.

The plans will now go for a wider public consultation ahead of setting up a shadow body (April 2012) and governing body (April 2013) for the new organisation.

Two hundred Prospect members across the three bodies have grappled with the ramifications of change and it has proved difficult to reach consensus on the advan-tages and disadvantages.

On the plus side, there is little doubt that the current Welsh government places a higher premium on environmental and sustainability issues than the Conservative/LibDem government in Westminster.

Prospect members from Environment Agency Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales acknowledge that it provides

a great opportunity for a more joined up and sustainable approach to managing the environment.

Earlier this year, however, Prospect warned that unless safeguards are put in place, breaking off FC Wales could fracture the entire organisation and severely affect the viability of the scientific work under-taken by its research arm, Forest Research. Forestry adds £841m in value to the Welsh economy every year and employs 10,000 people directly, 8,500 more indirectly.

Prospect negotiator Malcolm Currie said: “We will continue to ask questions about how the forest management role will be reconciled against the regulatory role, and how the Welsh government sees Wales contributing to the Forest Research role. These are just a few of the questions which will affect many members’ jobs, both inside and outside Wales.”

There is no doubt that bringing together three disparate organisations will be an

enormous challenge.Environment Agency Wales is a Welsh

government-sponsored body, while also being part of the Environment Agency for England and Wales.

It gets much of its funding and direction from the Welsh government and reports back to it.

However, EAW also benefits from the resources and expertise of being part of a larger organisation.

The worry is that these could be lost, together with a danger that the new body does not take a wide-enough view of environmental issues across the whole British Isles and beyond.

Wales officer Gareth Howells said: “Prospect’s aim is to ensure that all members of staff – the most important resource in this new body – are protected. Discussions on protecting terms and condi-tions, including pensions, will be a key part of a successful merger.”

LAB CUTS POSE RISKS TO ANIMALS, MPs WARNEDTIME WILL be lost and animal welfare could be compromised if livestock samples have to be sent to England for testing and analysis, Prospect warned the Commons Welsh affairs committee in November.

MPs are probing the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency decision to close laboratory facilities at eight of the UK’s 14 regional veterinary centres, because of cuts of £8m a year (Profile 5/11).

Both of the two Welsh labs – at Aberystwyth and Carmarthen – are to be axed by April 2013, together with 14 specialist posts.

Prospect national secretary Geraldine O’Connell provided written and oral evidence to the committee, which asked if the decision had taken into account the high density of

livestock in west Wales.It also wanted to know what effect

de-coupling testing and post-mortem services would have on the diagnosis of early disease; and the impact on relationships between private vets, laboratories and the agricultural community.

O’Connell said early diagnosis of serious infections and transmittable diseases was crucial. Sending samples away for analysis could lose vital time.

Welsh farms account for 11 per cent of cattle in the UK, and 26 per cent of sheep. When farmers discover a problem they contact their local vet, who may contact the AVHLA for advice. If samples are needed, the vet either posts or hand delivers them to AVHLA’s regional lab.

But under the new proposals: ● lab work would be sent to England, making

same-day diagnosis no longer possible ● this could lead to fewer samples being

submitted – or samples being sent to private labs instead – causing the loss of important disease surveillance information.

● samples would be at greater risk of degrading in transit to the testing lab.

Prospect members have warned that delays will compromise animal welfare, AHVLA’s scientific reputation and increase the prevalence of diseases.

O’Connell also pointed to the dangers of losing vital expertise, as veterinary bacte-riology was “not a readily transferable skill and requires specialist interpretation of tests usually designed for human bacteriology.”

Welsh merger will spell shake-up for nature staff

■■ Members■working■for■the■Countryside■Council■for■Wales■(left)■and■Forestry■Commission■Wales■are■set■to■become■part■of■a■new■Welsh■body

CCW

JOHN MCFARLANE/FORESTRY COM

MISSION

Profile

14 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

CSMA CLUB

CSMA Club are giving away a new Fiat 500!CSMA Club are giving away a desirable and in-demand Fiat 500 courtesy of their approved partner, Lloyds TSB Carselect. This exclusive prize draw is open to everyone who joins CSMA Club as a new member before January 31.

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FROM MUSEUMS, naval bases, science labs, stores depots, testing stations, offices, libraries, prisons and research insti-tutes, the message they sent Messrs Maude and Osborne was the same: ‘Stop the war on public servants.’

Pickets and reps across the country reported back that 80 per cent of the specialists and professionals represented by Prospect stayed away from work in the nationwide protest against the government’s attack on public sector pensions.

From Plymouth to Aberdeen, Lowestoft to Cardiff, members came out on picket lines with colleagues from other unions and went on to join marches and rallies in city centres throughout the UK.

John Streeter, president of the civil service sector, said: “Incoming reports on Prospect’s website, tweets and Flickr pictures gave an immediate flavour of our action. Reps, members and full-time staff turned out in every possible location.

“That tells me that rather than a damp squib our action was more of a firecracker with flashpoints everywhere across the country. My congratulations and thanks to everyone who made the day a resounding success.”

Paul Noon, general secretary, toured picket lines in London and reported “extraordinary high levels of support” from members and the general public.

“The turnout today shows massive backing for the stand taken by unions that there must be a fair deal on pensions leading to a negotiated settlement.”

Dai Hudd, deputy general secretary, addressed a rally in Bristol and described the day as a “stunning success.” He pointed to a remarkable surge in membership in November, when the regular monthly intake almost doubled to over 1,100 recruits, “demonstrating that the issues we are

tackling have resonated well beyond our membership.”Inevitably the government sought to talk down the scale

of protest, he said. “But those who stood on picket lines or stayed away from work know the truth. Ministers cannot ignore the impact of peaceful demonstrations in cities and towns which in many cases have not seen such numbers on their streets in years.”

Work was affected in 23 departments, 37 executive agencies and trading funds, and 57 non-departmental public bodies. In Wales, the Senedd in Cardiff, home of the Welsh government, was closed. In Scotland only two parlia-mentary committees sat.

In UK departments, the biggest impact was felt in the Ministry of Defence where 7,000 members, chiefly engineers and scientists, took action in Devonport, Faslane and Portsmouth naval bases, headquarters buildings in Bristol and Whitehall, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and many more sites.

Other departments affected were Transport (vehicle testing and highways), Prison Service (intervention and rehabilitation), Defra (animal health, food and environ-mental protection) and Business (insolvency staff, Met Office scientists and weather presenters).

In all these areas the union negotiated special arrange-ments to ensure emergency cover and protect health and safety.

Members from world-famous heritage institutions came out, closing galleries and reading rooms. They included London’s Science, V&A, Natural History and British Museums, the National Gallery and Tate galleries; Scotland’s National Galleries and Library in Edinburgh; National Museums Liverpool; and English Heritage members across the UK.

In total, more than 120 public bodies took action – see page 24

Twenty-six thousand Prospect members stopped work at almost 400 workplaces on the pensions day of action

ON THE MARCH...■■ Hundreds■of■Prospect■members■

lead■the■way■in■Edinburgh

Nov 30 pictures by Eleanor Bentall, Bob Bowen, Stefano Cagnoni,

Paul Carter, Douglas Robertson, Paul Thompson, Mike Weston and members around the country

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NOVEMBER 30

NOVEMBER 30Profile

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NOVEMBER 30, 2011 – A DAY TO REMEMBER

■■ HSE■branch■chair■Neil■Hope-Collins■(centre)■joins■members■outside■Bradford■National■Museum

■■ Angela■Burgess■and■Bill■Wakeham■outside■MOD’s■Abbey■Wood■central■gate

■■ Lydia■Fisher■■and■colleagues■at■the■Royal■Commission■on■the■Ancient■and■Historical■Monuments■of■Scotland,■Edinburgh

■■ VOSA’s■Berkeley■House■in■Bristol,■(l-r)■Kevin■Warden,■Paul■Wright,■Shaun■Martin■and■Julian■Harris

■■ Alan■Wood■(left)■with■Robert■Leeks■and■Roy■Pittman■at■MOD■Main■Building,■London

Reports filed with Prospect during the day by reps and officers give a vivid flavour of the action taking place across the country as members fought to defend their pension rights

Aberdeen09:49 ONLY 20 staff at work at Marine Lab – normally 300 work there. Good picket: 16 from Prospect, three from PCS.

Belfast16:59 HEALTHY turnout of members from various branches at Belfast Central Station (itself closed by strike action) for one of five feeder parades to a rally at City Hall. This was one of eight rallies across Northern Ireland co-ordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Striking members were joined by Prospect members from the private sector to show solidarity. At the rally, marchers joined thousands of people to hear speeches from strikers, and joined in a song specially composed for the occasion. Prospect banner holders did a sterling job in very windy conditions!

Bristol 08:22 DGS Dai Hudd joined members and reps on the picket line at MOD Abbey Wood together with MOD group president Alan Grey. At 7.00am pickets were

at Temple Quay (Planning Inspectorate, Highways Agency and Natural England), Victoria St (Revenue and CWU members), and the Pithay (HSE and CWU). Remarkaby quiet and pickets in a very buoyant mood.09:58 Prospect and Unison members also picketing the Environment Agency, Deanery Road, Bristol.11:50 More than 200 Prospect members assemble at College Green to march through Bristol in brilliant sunshine under the Prospect banner, with staff of the Prospect West office, and more joining all the time. “Numbers have far exceeded anything we expected – it’s spectacular,” Hudd said. Some Prospect protesters produced a banner showing montage of David Cameron’s face with Margaret Thatcher’s hair and the message: ‘Pensions Snatcher’15:41 Huge crowd – estimated at 20,000 – marched through city centre to Castle Park for rally of 30 unions, where Dai Hudd was among the speakers.

British Library08:17 WE expect a very small number of the public reading rooms to open, but service

will be much restricted. Members will go to the central London march and rally.08:49 Great picket, only main entrance/hall will be open. We’ve been joined by students too.

British Museum08:43 SIXTEEN pickets outside the various BM gates. Atmosphere is jovial. Temporary worker just delivered cake to pickets – very supportive of our action!

Central Office of Information18:15 STRONG Prospect presence outside COI, where staff were recently issued with notices of redundancy. “We’re getting screwed from all directions,” said one member. “It’s completely unfair that we should be made to pay more for less pensions, and outrageous to justify that on the basis that everyone else is worse off. That’s shocking logic. How does more impoverishment benefit the country?” Another said: “I’m not just here for me but for all the lower paid public sector workers. We’re not talking about fat cat pensions, but people who work for people, doing things like saving lives, who are being punished for that.”

Cosford09:21 GOOD turnout at Defence Training and Education with joint picket from Prospect, PCS, Unite and NASUWT from 6am. About 60 people on two gates and getting support.

Culham Centre14:33 Work on the world-leading nuclear fusion

■■ Stuart■Beale■joins■his■first■strike■at■Natural■England,■Bristol

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Profile

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NOVEMBER 30

NOVEMBER 30, 2011 – A DAY TO REMEMBER

■■ Russell■Brown■hands■out■leaflet■at■Defra,■London

■■ Negotiator■Andy■Bye■(centre)■and■senior■organiser■Robin■Smith■join■members■at■the■Imperial■War■Museum,■London

■■ Jospehine■Willows■and■son■Ben■at■the■House■of■Commons ■■ Edinburgh■rally

■■ MOD■group■president■Alan■Grey■(tabard),■with■Prospect■organiser■Chris■Perry■and■deputy■general■secretary■Dai■Hudd■leafleting■outside■MOD■Abbey■Wood,■Bristol

research programme, at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, placed on hold. Two large tokamaks (ring-shaped magnetic confinement devices) were put out of action when over 200 Prospect members at CCFE and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary went on strike. Both the MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) device, at the heart of the UK’s own fusion programme, and the JET ( Joint European Torus) – the world’s largest tokamak driving Europe’s flagship experiment – were put into safe standby mode.

Edinburgh 13:46 300-400 Prospect members are marching in Edinburgh, where national secretary Anne Douglas is due to speak. Earlier we visited Prospect picket lines at Edinburgh Castle, the Botanic Gardens, St Andrew’s House (Scottish Government), National Museums and National Galleries. A big picket line was held outside Silvan House by members from the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage. Members were also on strike at veteri-nary laboratories, and the National Library of Scotland was closed. I’ve just recruited two people to Prospect while we were walking down the hill.

Fife11:02 AT Defence Munitions Crombie in Fife, joint trade unions had 95 per cent support, with three contractors turned away, reports branch chair John Taylor. “This had the effect of halting production for the day. We also have an HM ship at the jetty for offloading before going for refit. Due to our action their tight schedule has been disrupted.”

Glasgow 15:38 PROSPECT members from Faslane naval base, Scottish government, Scottish Natural Heritage and Health and Safety Executive are among 200 who have turned up for the demonstra-tion which is the biggest I’ve seen in Glasgow in years. It’s so big it took an hour for the march to start, we’ve been walking half an hour and we’re only halfway round the route. It’s massive.

HSE Rose Court10:36 PROSPECT pickets contributed to a powerful presence. Chris Tilley said: “We agreed new pension arrangements in 2007 and they were sustainable. Now the rug’s been pulled from under our feet again.” Brent Bolton said: “With the changes to pensions and extra pay cuts my salary will be cut by 20 per cent over the course of this government and it’ll be much worse for my pension. Also nobody is telling the public that for every pound they contribute to public sector pensions they are contributing £2 towards tax relief on the pensions of the richest 1 per cent.”

Imperial War Museum08:38 GOOD show by Prospect and PCS: curators, conservators, librarians, general museum grades and specialists. Good-humoured report from pickets: “The battle to save public sector pensions commenced early at the IWM with pickets standing-to just before dawn. Members here are not keeping calm and they are not carrying on. Opening skirmishes have resulted in significant advances of groups of pickets

towards all entrances to the site. Union troops are digging in for an am siege followed by a rapid massed charge to Lincoln’s Inn Fields and then on to their ultimate objective of the rallying point on Victoria Embankment. It should all be over by Christmas!”

London 15:21 Just been told estimated attendance at the central London rally was 50,000!

Lowestoft, Suffolk10:34 LOTS of support on the picket line gate at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science. Pickets will be there all day.

Manchester 09:55 AFTER a ring-round we believe that app 90 per cent of Office of Rail Regulation Prospect members are on strike across the UK. 14:01. 30,000 people at the Manchester rally – good Prospect turnout from the Highways Agency, ORR, HSE, HSL and English Heritage.

Midlands09:16 ENGINEERS, project managers, surveyors and civil engineers in good spirits on the picket line at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation in Sutton Coldfield. 11:53 Prospect pickets leaving MOD DIO Sutton Coldfield to join march and rally in Birmingham. Support for strike solid and workers not covered by action say the workplace is very quiet.

■■ Branch■secretary■Don■Campbell■with■members■at■Ordnance■Survey,■Southampton

■■ Bacon■sarnies■for■pickets■at■Ordnance■Survey,■Southampton

■■ Civil■service■sector■president,■John■Streeter,■addresses■the■Bath■rally

■■ Happy■that■the■rain■stayed■away■en■route■to■the■rally■on■the■Embankment,■London

■■ Science,■Natural■History■and■V&A■Museum■members■gather■outside■the■V&A,■London

NOVEMBER 30Profile

18 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

■■ Tim■Moreton■at■the■National■Portrait■Gallery,■London

MOD Main Building13:42 MEMBERS outside MOD’s headquarters in London reported solid support. Alan Wood, said the additional 1 per cent pay cap for public sector workers announced yesterday was further evidence of a contemptuous attitude towards public servants: “The government has declared war on us.” Robert Leeks, leafleting outside the Old War Office, said: “The government is deliberately storing up antipathy between the public and private sector workers. We all need to stand up for our pensions. The best thing private sector workers could do is join a union.”

National Nuclear Laboratory 05:30 MEMBERS began picketing outside Sellafield at and at Workington Laboratory, Cumbria; Preston Laboratory on the Springfields Fuels site; and Birchwood Park near Warrington. The atmos-phere on the Preston picket was very amicable, people stopping to take leaflets and beeping horns in support. Other nuclear specialists taking action were at International Nuclear Services, on Westlakes Science Park and Hinton House, Cheshire. 99 per cent of INS members took part, with 25 per cent on the picket line first thing.

On the way to London rally12:26 ON the underground with Science Museum, Natural History Museum and V&A Museum strikers. The carriage is mobbed, lots of curious tourists! Community singing has just started with a rousing chorus of: “When the union’s inspiration through

the workers’ blood shall run, There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun.”

Oxford13:56 MASSED pickets at the Harwell sites. BBC Oxford interviewed them early today, STFC, Diamond Light Source and HPA. Prospect president Nigel Titchen’s flying visit much appreciated. Now on coach to Oxford rally. Radio Oxford interview later. Coach driver muttering under his breath about burning the banners – Daily Mail reader suspected!

Plymouth 13:59 MAJOR disruption at Plymouth naval base. Military vessels not docking, fuel depot for the base closed, munitions depot at Ernesettle, near Plymouth closed, other parts of the base disrupted including salvage marine unit. MOD members joined forces with HSE members for march and rally through city. HSE office closed.

Prison Service HQ09:54 GOOD turnout on picket line at Clive House, Petty France. Not many staff going in to work. Prospect members on strike are psychologists, managers and prisons specialists. Another nice report from the frontline: “In a reverse of what would normally be expected, prison specialists are outside trying to stop people from getting in! Members feel the government should be locked up for its attempt to rob public sector workers of their pensions. It’s like something out of Francis Maudeshank’s Redemption here!”

Scottish Natural Heritage11:06 SNH rep Nina Turner reports no Prospect members turned up for work in Great Glen House, Inverness. Three reps and two members helped with the picket, 10 others joined them for an unofficial walk past Danny Alexander’s office, and on to the rally in town. They made it onto STV news and photos on the BBC website. Disappointed that an advertised official march did not occur, they staged their own march in the town centre, along with 100 other union members. “A great result, showing the strength of feeling among Prospect members up here!”

Sealand11:30 OVER 90 per cent did not report to work.

House of Commons/Lords11:04 EVERY entrance to parliament is being picketed. Labour MPs and peers joined the picket line outside St Stephen’s entrance.

Serious Fraud Office12:32 LONDON SFO members report a strong picket line of 15 people and a well-observed strike. Branch secretary Juliet Fryer said staff who did cross the picket were mainly contractors. “It has been an excellent response given that we are such a small organisation but it shows the solidarity is there.”

Sheffield13:58 JOINED one of the council workers’ feeder marches to the central rally as it went close to BT building. Met Prospect delegation and delivered

NOVEMBER 30

■■ Elizabeth■James■picketing■outside■the■Victoria■and■Albert■Museum,■London

■■ In■cheerful■mood■en■route■to■the■Bath■rally ■■ BBC■TV■interviews■

Elaine■Harrison■outside■the■House■of■Commons

■■ Forestry■Commission■members,■Edinburgh

■■ Hansard■reporter■Will■Holdaway■at■the■Commons

NOVEMBER 30 Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 19

personal solidarity message from BT Sheffield branch. Rally then joined a united march around Sheffield city centre. Fantastic show of unity and solidarity.

South Kensington10:55 AMAZING turnout. Pickets on all staff entrances to the Natural History, Science and V&A museums, with many more standing round the perimeter. Members on strike are curators, conservators, librar-ians, explainers, general museum grades and special-ists. For several hours Exhibition Road has been awash with irate staff displaying and exhibiting a wide range of strike materials, picket line paraphernalia and relics.Around 150 members of Prospect, PCS and FDA gather on the front steps of the V&A for a group photo. Cries from the photographer of: “Can I have the bride and groom and all their family and friends” distracted police attention from the number of pickets, although they look suspicious at the huge number of placards and banners carried by the wedding party!

South Wales 13:41 THE Senedd in Cardiff Bay, home of the Welsh government, was closed. Pickets also took place outside Welsh government sites at Cathays Park, the QED Centre Treforest, Merthyr Tydfil and Aberystwyth; the Intellectual Property Office and Environment Agency sites in Newport and at the Wales Audit Office in Cardiff. Delighted with support.

South-west region08:27 STRIKE action by Highways Agency members started late last night; pickets were

in attendance at all out-stations, and just two HA patrols were on duty to cover the whole south-west. More action expected today.

Teddington08:14 SIX Prospect pickets outside the National Measurement Office – the maximum allowed outside each gate or entrance. All in good spirits, and lots of supportive pips from passing motorists.

Vehicle Operator Services Agency12:24 MEMBERS at VOSA’s Yeading and Edmonton test stations report excellent support. Section secretary Chris Walsh said with all Prospect’s vehicle examiners on strike, Yeading site was empty and heavy goods vehicle operators, who had turned up for MOTs and annual checks, were persuaded to return another day. John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, offered pickets his support.

Whitehall15:26 PICKETS outside the Home Office and Department for Transport in London reported strong support, many taking part in a strike for the first time. Outside the Home Office Levin Wheller said he felt forced to take part because of the “unprecedented attack on terms, conditions and salaries. This problem is not of our making yet we are being asked to pay more than most and it is just not fair.” Colleague Joe Hillier added: “This is an issue everyone cares deeply about and I would like to hear that negotia-tions are ongoing and some good will come out of today.” Outside DfT, Philip Cartwright said: “I was

leafleting yesterday and there are far fewer people going in today. It is strange as I didn’t ever think I’d be doing this,” but the attacks on job security, pensions and the pay freeze meant the contract he agreed when entering public service had been changed.

York 13:21 MORE than 100 members joined the rally in the city after attending picket lines this morning. There was a huge turn out from the Food and Environment Research Agency at Sand Hutton – though exemp-tions were given to members responsible for immediate animal welfare. Other Prospect marchers have come from the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, HSE, MOD and National Railway Museum.

Yorkshire 11:12 HIGHWAYS Agency office at Lateral House is virtually all out on strike. At Tingley outsta-tion (nr Leeds), membership has risen six-fold, and there is a rolling picket. Less than half the cars which should have been out last night went out. 13:39 Great turn out across Yorkshire, report Neil Hope-Collins and Heather Phillips (Prospect NEC). Members from the Department of Communities and Local Government joined the Health and Safety Executive and Highways Agency picket line in Leeds. There were also pickets at Natural England, Wetherby Prison, British Library (Boston Spa) and the National Media Museum in Bradford. Branches joining the march in Leeds include HA, HSE, British Library, Royal Armouries, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health, DCLG and Natural England.

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■■ (l-r)■Jeremy■Saunders,■Chris■Bolton■and■Gary■Biggin■at■the■Wales■Audit■Office

■■ Prospect■negotiator,■Julie■Flanagan■brings■early■morning■coffee■to■pickets■outside■COI,■London

■■ Hi-vis■president,■Nigel■Titchen,■joins■protesters■at■Diamond■Light■Source,■Didcot

■■ Negotiator,■John■Higgins■(second■left)■joins■Department■for■Transport■members,■London

■■ Members■set■off■for■the■rally■from■outside■the■V&A

■■ Evan■Jones■with■Wales■Government■members■at■Cathays,■Cardiff

■■ Thousands■marched■down■the■Strand■to■the■London■rally

NOVEMBER 30Profile

20 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

Vicky Smith, Prison Service Branch Sec, just been on BBC News, to cheers in the Crown & Cushion, SE1

Great placard on London march: “Children want to learn about dinosaurs, not be taught by them”

15,000 marchers in Birmingham, National Indoor Arena almost full for the start of TUC Rally

Thousands marching up Southampton high street to cheers of support from public. Prospect Ordnance Survey members out in force

Huge Prospect turnout for march to parliament in Edinburgh

We’re signing up new members on picket lines, and they’re joining the strike action straight away!

Good turnout of Prospect members on the picket lines at Departments of Transport, Business, Work and Pensions, Education

‘Due to the strike there is no live weather service today’ I did not know that the Met Office were Prospect members

Every entrance to the Houses of Commons and Lords is being picketed Labour MPs and peers joined in

Done my picket line duty at Royal Observatory, off to Edinburgh rally now

On strike w/Prospect, decision not taken lightly. Already work below market rate in trade-off for retire-ment I may never reach.

Just tucking into bacon butties at Nottingham EM RCC too. Clever pcsunion brought a camper van to the picket :)

Solid picket line here at CEFAS in Lowestoft. Main car park still empty

Picket at Easton Lane doing Mexican wave.

Over a hundred signed the petition to date, please add your name to save animal health veteri-nary labs in Wales

Just received today’s 100th membership appli-cation through our website! People are joining so they can be part of the #n30 strike action

Just seen Ed_Miliband opposing nov30 action on BBC News. Well, at least he can claim not to be a slavish follower of public opinion!

Sex Pistols would surely say ‘No’ to the great pensions swindle. God save the scheme!

Looking forward to picket line tomorrow. My first time in 27 years as a trade union member

Younger workers have been flocking to join Prospect in the two months since the Day of Action was called

So now the government want to cap public pay at 1% AFTER the pay freeze and ramp up our pension contribution?

From the front line – how

members and reps tweeted

the day of action

English Heritage and HSE colleagues join the pickets at Big Lottery Fund, Birmingham

Dstl Fort Halstead: 17 members turned up for picket duty. That’s 1 in 12! And they recruited 6 new members this morning

Great turnout at National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield. Traffic queue all the way to Egremont, five miles away!

Ordnance Survey pickets estimate 200+ empty car parking spaces at HQ, and around half of those who did cross the line are contractors/agency

We estimate 90% of Prospect members in the Office of Rail Regulation are on strike today

Couple of policemen have come up to say hello & are chatting to reps about why they are striking

FCO pickets counted fewer than 100 staff going in by 9am. 1,400 work

Dept of Health HQ, Richmond House very quiet. In fact, the whole of Whitehall extremely quiet

As a member of Prospect I am supporting the #n30 strike. Never an easy decision to go on strike but the issues at stake are important

Heading to the Food Standards Agency picket line in Holborn. It’s cold, it’s dark but we will fight!

Out of office from 1st Sec member at High Commission: “I am away from the office in support of the Industrial Action...”

Good to meet members of Prospect Insolvency Service & Nat England branches on Norwich N30 March. Good Env Agency branch turnout

And damn good they were too! Thanks comrade! :)

Martin Free delivered doughnuts to the Prospect picketers at Tingley Motorway Depot. Stay warm boys :)

Delighted that Prospect members turned out in such high numbers at today’s Edinburgh & Glasgow marches

Thousands on the Liverpool rally on St George’s Plateau

No one crossing picket lines at INS Warrington, NNL Warrington, National Museums and Govt Procurement Services Liverpool

All Our Children are LEARNING today that UK Mums & Dads haven’t lost their guts and WILL Fight Social Injustice!

Paid a visit to civil servants picketing Wellington House. Steely yet genteel!

Good to see so much support for striking Prospect members this morning across Edinburgh. Lots of media interest at the castle!

I wish I could have marched with my dad (Prospect north west secretary) today like we did when I was little, but we’re a bit far apart

NOVEMBER 30

TOUGH TIMES FOR MEMBERS

There was no doubt what annoyed MPs most on the day of action – and it wasn’t the state of the economy. No hot meals were served in the House of Commons and in particular, no cakes and tea, thanks to the Commons chefs who joined the GMB union days before the strike and walked out, leaving our esteemed parliamentarians unusually dry and hungry.

LAST-MINUTE HERO

Several stories emerged on the day of action about people joining the union and going instantly on strike. One non-member at the National Gallery went into work, turned on his computer, clicked on to the Prospect website and joined online. Then he walked out and stood with his mates on the picket line. Bravo, brother!

ALL POWER TO HIS ELBOW!

Strikers at the Office for Rail Regulation in Manchester were delighted when they heard about the email sent by a new union rep in response to a circular from the human resources department advising that people taking strike action would lose a day’s pay. Asking her to reconsider, the rep pointed out that staff at ORR do not have a time-based job, and the organisation does not pay senior staff overtime when they work excess hours. Like many organisations, ORR is very good at collecting data on absences, sick leave and so on, but not so good at collecting data on the number of people working in excess of their 36 hours a week.

BEEB BOOB

Viewers of BBC News 24 on the day of the strike were amused to see the caption at the bottom of the screen carry the prime minister’s early comment on the strike as being a ‘damp squid’. They usually are, except in the frying pan.

CLEAR AS MUD...

Unions objected when the Scottish government invited non-striking staff to bring children to work on November 30 if their nurseries or schools were closed. Management had stressed that “parents remain responsible for and must supervise their children at all times.” The unions drew attention to guidance produced after a tragic accident in 2006, when a toddler was killed after falling through a gap in a balcony at a government building in Edinburgh. That guidance stated: “When any visitors are brought into the workplace, the Scottish government assumes a legal responsibility to ensure their health and safety.” HR’s baffling response? “I recognise that both the Scottish government and parents will have responsibility but that parents will have the lead role in the first instance.”

POSSE OF PRESIDENTS

Past Prospect presidents were out in force on November 30. Phil Kemball (1992-95) joined pickets outside the Natural History Museum where he met up with current negotiator Andy Bye, himself a past president (2002-03). In addition to picket line duties, Graeme Henderson (2006-08) managed no less than two media interviews, first with new Zealand News and then with Catalonia TV. Just as active was Alan Grey (2004-06) who joined the pickets outside MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol.

LOUD AND PROUD?

Picketing outside the Health and Safety Executive’s Rose Court building in London was an interesting experience. Early in the morning the first thing members could hear was voices chanting. At the top of the steps by the bridge, it became clear the noise was being made by electricians involved in a separate strike, holding their own demo near HSE. There was a strong police presence, and things got even noisier as another group of demonstrators from the Occupy Finsbury Square protest – mostly students and young people banging drums – roared past. Demos are just like buses – none for years and then three in one morning.

IT’S A WHOLE NEW SCENE

It was the first national strike action by Prospect since 1981. Back then, reports were phoned into headquarters and written down on bits of paper to be stored up for the union mag. Telling newspapers about the event took a call to the Press Association and the story was dictated word for word, including punctuation. A few days later photos would arrive, but on contact sheets for you to choose the best shots to be printed. This November 30, hundreds of emails with reports, videos and photos taken on mobile phones poured into headquarters within hours. Events were live on the internet and the Prospect website had a live Twitter feed – all of which gave an exciting immediacy to events unfolding across the UK.

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

Trade unionists are not the only ones angry at the way the government carries out consultations – even Tory MPs are exercised. The government wants to hand over responsibility for looking at MPs’ remuneration, including salary, allowances and pensions, to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. But backbencher Christopher Chope says the government’s recommendations pre-empted any consultation IPSA might carry out on a new pension scheme. “The government seems to be saying: ‘Irrespective of whether IPSA asks us any questions, we’re going to volunteer some answers before we’ve been asked the questions’.” Yes, Mr Chope – just as government did to the public sector.

SELECTIVE STATISTICS

Business secretary Vince Cable has laid out the government’s plans to make it easier for businesses to take on staff and ‘improve the process’ for when staff have to be let go. In the notes to editors on the speech, his department said the number of tribunal claims had risen 44 per cent since 2008-09. If he had used the statistics for 2009-10, he would have seen there was an 8 per cent fall in the number of claims accepted by employment tribunals. But don’t let the facts get in the way of bashing employment rights.

THEIR GLORIOUS FIGHT

Prospect negotiator John Stevenson has taken his love of labour history one step further. He has written a pamphlet about the struggle of teachers in the 1920s to establish a national framework for pay and conditions. From the hard work of securing a national agreement and salary scale for teachers, to battles with local authorities to implement it, the pamphlet examines the role played by the teachers’ union in winning the fight. John has included extracts from local newspapers and union minutes to set the scene for their eventual victory. ‘Their Glorious Fight’ by John Stevenson is available from Bread Books, PO Box 1806, Coventry CV6 1YJ.

PENSiON

■■ Happy■families■gather■in■Reading

■■ London■march■gathers■pace

■■ Prospect■flags■fly■high■at■the■rally■in■Bradford

NOVEMBER 30 Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 21

Done my picket line duty at Royal Observatory, off to Edinburgh rally now

On strike w/Prospect, decision not taken lightly. Already work below market rate in trade-off for retire-ment I may never reach.

Just tucking into bacon butties at Nottingham EM RCC too. Clever pcsunion brought a camper van to the picket :)

Solid picket line here at CEFAS in Lowestoft. Main car park still empty

Picket at Easton Lane doing Mexican wave.

Over a hundred signed the petition to date, please add your name to save animal health veteri-nary labs in Wales

Just received today’s 100th membership appli-cation through our website! People are joining so they can be part of the #n30 strike action

Just seen Ed_Miliband opposing nov30 action on BBC News. Well, at least he can claim not to be a slavish follower of public opinion!

Sex Pistols would surely say ‘No’ to the great pensions swindle. God save the scheme!

Looking forward to picket line tomorrow. My first time in 27 years as a trade union member

Younger workers have been flocking to join Prospect in the two months since the Day of Action was called

So now the government want to cap public pay at 1% AFTER the pay freeze and ramp up our pension contribution?

NOVE

MBE

R 30

■■ VOSA■test■station,■Yeading,■Hillingdon

■■ British■Library,■London

■■ Food■Standards■Agency,■London

■■ Tate■Britain,■London

■■ Health■Protection■Agency,■Chilton,■Oxfordshire

■■ HSE,■English■Heritage,■Prison■Service■and■Big■Lottery■Fund■members■at■Fiveways■Birmingham■with■the■Midlands■banner

■■ Diamond■Light■Source,■Didcot

■■ Historic■Scotland,■Edinburgh

■■ Belfast■members■en■route■to■city■centre■rally

SNAPSHOTS OF HISTORYMembers’ pictures tell the story of Prospect’s first national strike in 30 years

NOVEMBER 30

Profile

22 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

NOVEMBER 30

■■ Scottish■Natural■Heritage,■Clydebank

■■ Animal■Health■and■Veterinary■Laboratories■Agency,■Worcester

■■ Defence■Geographic■Centre,■Feltham

■■ Maidstone■Prison

■■ Foreign■and■Commonwealth■Office,■Hanslope■Park

■■ Food■and■Environment■Research■Agency,■York■at■6am!

■■ Culham■Science■Centre,■Abingdon

■■ National■Gallery,■London

■■ Defence■College■of■Aeronautical■Engineering,■RAF■Cosford

SNAPSHOTS OF HISTORYMembers’ pictures tell the story of Prospect’s first national strike in 30 years

NOVE

MBE

R 30

■■ Naval■base,■Plymouth

■■ Simon■Finney■and■Steve■Dowdell■at■Portsmouth■naval■base

■■ DGS■Mike■Clancy■(second■left)■with■pickets■from■Government■Procurement■Services,■Liverpool■

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 23

NOVEMBER 30

■■ Office■of■Rail■Regulation,■Manchester

■■ Rothamsted■Research,■Harpenden

■■ Wales/Cymru■banner■in■Aberyswyth

NOV 30MORE PICTURES OF

PICKETS, PLACARDS .AND MARCHES

http://bit.ly /t8jQBJ

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS (23)

● Business, Innovation and Skills

● Cabinet Office ● Children, Schools and

Families ● Communities and Local

Government ● Culture, Media and Sport ● Education ● Energy and Climate Change ● Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs ● Foreign & Commonwealth

Office ● Health ● HM Prison Service ● Home Office ● Justice ● Ministry of Defence ● National Assembly of Wales ● Scottish Government ● Scottish Parliament ● Scottish Prison Service ● Transport ● Treasury ● Welsh Assembbly Government

● Work and Pensions ● Northern Ireland

EXECUTIVE AGENCIES/TRADING FUNDS (37)

● Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency

● Central Office of Information ● Centre for Environment,

Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

● Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

● Defence Support Group ● Defence Training and

Education ● Dental Reference Service ● Driving Standards Agency ● Environment Agency ● FCO Services ● Fire Service College ● Food and Environment

Research Agency ● Food Standards Agency ● Forest Enterprise ● Forest Research ● Government Car & Despatch

Agency

● Government Procurement Service

● Health Protection Agency ● Highways Agency ● Insolvency Service ● Marine Management

Organisation ● Maritime and Coastguard

Agency ● Medicines and Healthcare

products Regulatory Authority ● Met Office ● National Measurement Office ● National Offender

Management Service ● National Police Improvement

Agency ● Office for National Statistics ● Ordnance Survey ● Planning Inspectorate ● Royal Parks Agency ● Rural Payments Agency ● UK Hydrographic Office ● UK Intellectual Property

Office ● Valuation Office Agency ● Vehicle and Operator Services

Agency ● Vehicle Certification Agency

NON-DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES (57)

● Advantage West Midlands ● Agriculture and Horticulture

Development Board ● Big Lottery Fund ● Biotechnology and Biological

Sciences Research Council ● British Library ● British Museum ● Cairngorms National Park

Authority ● Cangen Treftadaeth Cymru/

Wales Heritage ● Care Quality Commission ● Civil Nuclear Police Authority ● Countryside Council for Wales ● Diamond Light Source ● Engineering and Physical

Sciences Research Council ● English Heritage (RCHME) ● Forestry Commission ● Health and Safety Executive ● Historic Scotland ● House of Commons ● House of Lords ● Human Fertilisation and

Embryology Authority

● Imperial War Museum ● Joint Nature Conservation

Committee ● Justices’ Clerks/Chief

Executives ● London Magistrates Clerks ● Metropolitan Police ● Museum of London ● Museums, Libraries and

Archives ● National Archives ● National Galleries of Scotland ● National Gallery ● National Library of Scotland ● National Museum for Science

& Industry ● National Museums Liverpool ● National Museums Scotland ● National Portrait Gallery ● Natural England ● Natural Environment

Research Council ● Natural History Museum ● Northern Lighthouse Board ● Nuclear Decommissioning

Authority ● Office for Nuclear

Regulation ● Office of Rail Regulation

● Royal Armouries ● Royal Botanic Gardens,

Edinburgh ● Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ● Royal Commission on the

Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

● Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

● Science & Technology Facilities Council

● Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission

● Scottish Natural Heritage ● Scottish Research

Establishments ● Serious Fraud Office ● Tate Gallery ● Trinity House ● Victoria & Albert Museum ● Wales Audit Office ● Yorkshire Forward

OTHER (3)

● Fusion Energy ● International Nuclear

Services ● National Nuclear Laboratory

Prospect members in more than 120 organisations are affected by the government’s pension plans, either in the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, a by-analogy scheme or the nuclear industry’s Combined Pension Scheme. A list of organisations which balloted for action on November 30 is shown below.

Private sector among those rallying to strikers’ supportMESSAGES SUPPORTING the action on November 30 poured in via Prospect’s website and Facebook pages.

From private sector members to a former general secretary, a common theme was the need to show government it cannot walk over members.

Bill McCall, former IPCS general secretary, said it was “essential that public servants, by supporting November 30, demonstrate to the government their

determination to oppose attacks on their pensions and conditions, and to protect rights and standards.”

One of many Connect sector messages came from Graham Blunden – “Just because our pension has been damaged does not mean yours should be too.” Martin Aylett (BT Adastral Park branches) added: “Be encouraged that your action can make a difference!”

NEC member Philip O’Rawe (BT Belfast) said: “Rest assured that your colleagues in the private sector do not want the race to the bottom that the government is pushing for.”

Major General John Moore-Bick, of the Forces Pension Society, shared concerns “over the potential downgrading of pensions resulting from the move away from RPI linking to the CPI.”

Tanya Butler (member of the public) said: “Pensions are deferred wages, not a ‘nice to have’ benefit.”

Congratulating all involved, Andy Mooney (Prospect’s Air Traffic Systems Specialists) called it “a momentous day.”

Richard Howard MEP sent backing from Labour’s East of England regional confer-ence. Speaking personally, he said govern-ment was “threatening to withdraw its current offer, threatening to remove even more employment rights if you don’t submit to their will… We must not let them get away with it.”

Public Services International urged the UK government to turn away from “attempts to pit private sector workers against public sector workers.”

Encouraging members to take part, Prospect president Nigel Titchen said: “The changes being imposed go far beyond what can possibly be described as fair or reasonable.”

Deputy vice-president Denise McGuire urged Connect sector members to join in activities – “Your fight is our fight!”

Leigh Freeman (National Trust) posted on Facebook: “Without unions those benefits that all workers enjoy would go much more quickly than they arrived.” The Isle of Man TUC sent “massive support and best wishes.”

VERONICA SHOWS SHE’S SINGLE-MINDEDPROSPECT MEMBER Veronica Martell was one of 14 public sector workers who recorded a single in support of the November 30 day of action.

Called The Workers, the specially formed band covered Canned Heat’s classic, Let’s Work Together. It reached the top 20 in the independent charts, providing a major boost for the campaign.

The song is on sale from Amazon, iTunes and other online outlets. Also see: http://www.theworkers.org.uk/

Veronica, who works for the Food Standards Agency, and her partner Nigel are in ska-jazz band the Skanomics, so she was enthusiastic about the project – and the campaign.

“The government is hitting us on several fronts,” she said. “This affects all civil servants and public

sector workers and if we don’t stand up against what the government is doing, they will take advantage.

“I fully back Prospect’s stance that there is room for negotiation. November 30 is part of persuading government that they need to negotiate seriously and not take us for granted.”

The single was the brainchild of Jeff Chegwin, who discovered Billy Bragg and has promoted stars like Paul McCartney. It was produced by Nick Patrick, whose credits include Katherine Jenkins and Sting.

The other singers include a firefighter, probation officers, teacher, social worker, student support officer and health staff.

Nearly half the sale price will be donated to Age UK.

WHO’S INVOLVED

NOVEMBER 30

ANDREW AITCHISON / TUC

NOVEMBER 30Profile

24 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 25

Imposing the same security regime on staff and passengers at airports would be funny if it wasn’t so dangerous, says Richard Bowden

AVIATION SECURITY

WHY SHOULD I complain about the security process, when it is there to protect everyone who travels by air?

In this day and age the entire aviation industry recognises and agrees the need for security. But that system cannot be a rigid tunnel vision dictated by a tick-list that applies equally to every person who passes through the airport, as some of us don’t fit neatly into security categories.

If this wasn’t such a serious subject you could have a good laugh at some of the ridiculous situations that show up when dealing with airport security.

For example, I have an additional pass, which because of my job, allows me to take tools and liquids through. But not water if that water is for me to drink. On one occasion I was going through a road security checkpoint in my work van. I had 24 one-litre cans of oil as well as various spray cans and grease containers in the back of the van. I also had one half-litre bottle of drinking water. After going though the personnel check I was told by the security guard who had been checking the van that I couldn’t take the bottle of water through.

When I asked why, she replied, ‘Because it’s water!’ I showed her my liquids pass, but still, ‘No you can’t take the water through.’ Apparently water isn’t a liquid! I asked to see her supervisor and got her to confirm that the bottle of water was a liquid. But now it wasn’t allowed through

When security makes us less safe

‘Having to go through those

checkpoints several times a shift can and does raise stress and anger levels’

AVIATION WORKERS ‘STRESSED OUT’ BY SECURITY CONTROLSAVIATION SECURITY protocols are adversely affecting the work of safety-critical specialists, Prospect has told the Department for Transport.

The union has warned that a DfT consultation now under way, Better Regulation for Aviation Security, is too focused on passenger security at the expense of how the

current regulations affect workers in safety-critical functions who are required to work airside. The union says the current arrangements are not ‘outcome-focused or risk-based.’

National secretary Garry Graham said: “Members who work airside contact Prospect on a daily basis with concerns about the impact of the current security arrangements.

“The consultation seeks to improve the passenger experience. But future security arrange-ments should also minimise the negative impact on airside workers, while supporting the highest levels

of aviation security.”Prospect members are already subject to the highest

level of security vetting. But in order to gain airside access they often find they are subject to greater scrutiny than members of the travelling public.

The impact on members is often perverse. It can lead to delays in reporting for duty and cause staff who work in a safety-critical environment to arrive at work stressed and frustrated.

An example cited is air traffic controllers – usually shift workers – who are banned from taking certain foodstuffs airside.

“Put bluntly, it is difficult to ascertain why air traffic controllers, given the tools at their disposal, are banned from taking certain foodstuffs airside and what threat to aviation security those foodstuffs may constitute,” said Graham.

Airside pass arrangements for staff are already stringent, he said. “It is not in anyone’s interests for these individuals to present themselves for duty when they have had to experience the unduly stressful experience of navigating the current security arrangements.”

because it wasn’t used for work! I then told them that I did use it for work, as I washed the aircraft windscreens with it. ‘Oh that’s ok then, you can take it through!’

If I was able to talk to the minister I would like to ask him some questions, such as:

● There are no published lists of allowed or banned foodstuffs, it is left to the individual security guard to decide. Therefore there is no consistency in deciding what can be taken airside by workers for their meals.

● Why are airline employees, including pilots and cabin crew, treated the same as passengers, when they quite clearly

have very different security clearance and needs?

● Why are the police and other government agencies not subjected to the same restrictions as other airport workers, eg not being searched at security points?

Working a 12-hour shift airside with no staff canteen or eating facilities, and not being allowed to bring certain foods through security is bad for morale. Having to go

through those checkpoints several times a shift can and does raise stress and anger levels. We then work our 12 hours, often at night, while hungry, thirsty, tired, angry and stressed, on aircraft that are just about to fly hundreds of passengers.

Crazy or what? ■ Richard Bowden is a line engineer for

Flybe and a branch rep for the Association of Licenced Aircraft Engineers at Birmingham International Airport

■■ Graham■–■■■too■much■scrutiny■is■

stifling

Profile

26 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

SKILLS

932 competitors from 51 countries in 46 skills areas 3,000 accredited competitors, delegates, observers and experts over 2,400 school, college and community group visits957 accredited media representatives the largest event yet to be hosted at ExCel London

THE NEXT generation of scientists and engineers has been given a unique chance to shine –with the help of Prospect.

In October, the union helped organise the first ever union-led competition at the WorldSkills 2011 event at the ExCel Centre, London, viewed by more than 200,000 visitors.

The union worked with a range of partners, including members at the British Geological Survey, supported by WorldSkills UK, in devising an environ-mental science competition.

Five teams from the UK and one from the Netherlands were asked to design a sustainable energy solution for an island community; to build a renewable energy generator; and to present a report to judges justifying their solution and winning over members of the local community.

Head of research for Prospect, Sue Ferns said: “The WorldSkills event is an exciting shop window for young talent to demonstrate their skills and dedication to solving tomorrow’s problems.

“It is a great opportunity for young people to show prospective employers that they represent the future of engineering and science. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the UK and world economy.

“It is essential to attract skilled and motivated young scientists to work in this vital area. Prospect is proud to have played a part in raising awareness of the opportunities that exist for them to make a difference.”

Principal sponsors of the competi-tion were the Tec Trust Fund and

■■ Top,■Prospect■facilitator■Paul■Curtis■helps■an■east■London■team■with■their■project;■above,■a■Dutch■team■make■calculations;■below,■Prospect’s■Dick■Crofts■and■Lois■Philipps■watch■as■the■winning■team■work■on■a■wind■turbine

Skills showcase for young talent

the National Skills Academy for Power, supported by BGS, Semta, Unionlearn, EAL, Green Collar Academy, Summit Skills, National Nuclear Laboratory and Energy Solutions.

Jacqui Henderson, trustee of the Tec Trust Fund said: “Science, maths, engineering, manufacturing and technology skills are now recognised as essential to the future wellbeing of the UK economy.”

Steve Davies, chief executive of the power skills academy, said: “The power sector is facing increasingly critical skills issues, which if not addressed now will have a dramatic impact on electricity supply in the UK and the government’s energy and low-carbon strategies.”

Tom Wilson, director of unionlearn, hailed the opportunity to recognise that excelling in making things and doing things is just as valuable as academic ability.

“Evidence shows that where unions and employers work together they can develop the skills of staff to compete in a competitive global market.”

Teams from Newcastle College and Pembrokeshire College won gold and silver medals repectively at the competition.

PICTURES: JOANNE O’BRIEN

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 27

LAW AT WORK

LEAKED PROPOSALS from David Cameron’s chief strategist Steve Hilton to abolish unfair dismissal laws altogether, have met with fierce opposition from unions and employment lawyers. Business secretary Vince Cable was forced to deny that there were plans to implement the wholesale abolition of unfair dismissal law.

The government has, however, moved in that direction by indicating its firm intention to raise the service threshold for bringing unfair dismissal claims from one to two years. The change is planned to take effect in April 2012, although no further detail is yet available.

The alleged reason for this change is to improve economic growth by giving employers more confidence to hire employees without fear of being subject to unfair dismissal claims.

In fact, the government consultation document which proposed this change referred to no hard evidence that unfair dismissal laws impeded economic growth; it merely referred to ‘anecdotal’ evidence from employers. The other obvious point is that limiting the right to bring unfair dismissal claims will only decrease economic confi-dence for employees who are, of course, also consumers in the economy. As it stands today, unfair dismissal law in this country provides basic safeguards but can by no

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AT WORK?Instead of our regular advice column we have an end-of-year quiz to test your knowledge of rights at work. The answers have all been covered in this column over the last year.

1.  What is the maximum number of weeks’ leave that can be taken under the new right to additional paternity leave?a) 4 weeks; b) 26 weeks; c) 20 weeks

2.  Statutory sick pay only becomes payable after -a) 3 days’ sickness; b) 1 year’s full employment; c) 1 week of sickness

3.  After four years’ employment on a fixed-term contract the employee is entitled to -a) be made permanent straight awayb) be deemed as permanent if the contract is renewed and the employer cannot justify it being fixed-termc) a redundancy payment

4.  What is the limit on the average number of hours per night for night workers under the Working Time Regulations?a) 12; b) 10; c) 8

5.  How much is the maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal?a) £68,400; b) £65,300; c) £71,200

6.  How much is the maximum basic award for unfair dismissal? a) £11,800; b) £12,000; c) £11,400

7.  Employment tribunals can offer judicial mediation, but who acts as the mediator?a) the ACAS conciliation officer

b) a specially appointed independent arbitratorc) an employment judge

8.  How much paid annual leave are workers entitled to per year?a) 5.6 weeks; b) 25 days; c) 4 weeks

9.  An employer giving a reference about an ex-employer -a) can say what they like because their reference is covered by the Data Protection Actb) has a duty of care towards the ex-employee to be truthfulc) cannot lawfully refer to allegations that are not proven.

10.  If an employee gives evidence to the employer to support a colleague’s claim of race discrimination, they are -a) at risk of being dismissedb) only protected if they are the union repc) protected from being treated unfavourably under the victimisation provisions in the Equality Act

Answers:

1 – b, 2 – a, 3 – b, 4 – c, 5 – a, 6 – b, 7 – c, 8 – a, 9 – b, 10 – c

YOUR SCORE3 or lessNever mind, even if you do not know too much about your rights at work, with Prospect you are never far from someone who does.4-6Well done, have you thought about becoming a Prospect rep to use your knowledge to help other members?7 or moreExcellent, would you like to write this column next year?These answers should not be taken as a definitive outline of the law. In all cases you should seek advice from your Prospect full-time officer.

Alison Humphry takes a critical look at the latest proposed changes to unfair dismissal law

Unfair dismissal changes are part of far wider plan

HOW MUCH PAID ANNUAL

L…AV… AR… WORK…RS …NTITL…D TO P…R Y…AR?

means be said to be weighted in favour of employees. The law imposes basic require-ments on employers to follow fair proce-dures. Once these procedures are followed, employers have a good deal of flexibility in how they approach dismissal decisions.

In 2010-11 there were 218,100 claims received in employment tribunals. The government’s own estimate is that raising the threshold for unfair dismissal claims will result in about 4,000 fewer claims. So it can be seen that the change will have fairly minimal impact on employment-related litigation as a whole – less than 2 per cent of the ET caseload.

By contrast, those 4,000 individuals will suffer a serious impact on their individual ability to protect what may be their most important economic asset: their employ-ment and future employability.

Will the proposals work to reduce the

tribunals’ considerable current workload? It is doubtful. Certain forms of dismissal claim, such as those related to discrimination, health and safety, trade union detriment and whistle-blowing, do not have a service threshold. It is likely that the tribunal will see an increase in these more complicated claims, as employees debarred from bringing ‘ordinary’ unfair dismissal claims, turn to consider whether their claims may be framed in one of the alternative categories. This will not assist employers; in fact it will make it more likely that their legal bills will increase as they grapple with more compli-cated claims against them.

In the late 1990s, when the qualifying period for unfair dismissal was in fact two years, the case of R (Seymour-Smith) v Secretary of State for Employment challenged the qualifying period on grounds that it was discriminatory on grounds of sex as women tend to have shorter service. The House of Lords found there was indeed a more significant impact on women; but at that time, the law was held to be justified. It was, however, emphasised in that case that whether a measure was justified could change over time. Given the relative lack of objective evidence which appears to have been relied upon by the government in taking its decision, employment lawyers may well look again at whether such a move is discriminatory.

■■ The■move■to■change■the■qualifying■period■for■unfair■dismissal■claims■is■clearly■part■of■a■wider■move■against■employment■rights■in■general■by■the■current■coalition■government.■The■next■issue■of■Profile■will■report■on■their■intention■to■introduce■fees■for■pursuing■employment■tribunal■claims,■as■well■as■tougher■cost■penalties■within■the■tribunal■system.

Alison Humphry is an employment solicitor in Prospect solicitors’ Russell Jones & Walker’s award-winning employment team

The law imposes basic requirements on employers to follow fair procedures. Once these procedures are followed, employers have a good deal of flexibility in how they approach dismissal decisions

RETIRED MEMBERS

MEETINGS

Profile

28 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

SEPTEMBER 16-NOVEMBER 23Prospect regrets to announce the deaths of the following members, notified to headquarters between September 16 and November 23, 2011:

Mr C M Atkinson 05/10/11 Scotland South Retired Members GroupMr E Baillie 11/10/11 Avon Valley Retired Members GroupMr H M Baker 26/10/11 South East England Retired Members GroupMr T B Barter 31/10/11 National GridMr K P Boxall 12/10/11 Scottish and Southern Energy GroupMr W Brierley 11/11/11 InnogyMr T Capps 16/09/11 Carillion ServicesMr R W Cluett 11/10/11 Southern Retired Members GroupMr N Cooper 09/11/11 Central Networks – WestMr R E Creese 15/11/11 National GridMr J F Curtis 10/10/11 InnogyMr T O Davies 28/10/11 BBSRCMr D T Davies 08/11/11 Wales Retired Members GroupMr T Dickens 28/10/11 Central Networks – EastMr P R Dimmer 20/09/11 Central Southern Retired Members GroupMr I A Dixon 22/11/11 CE Electric UKMr M Doig 19/10/11 Ministry of DefenceMr D K Doo 20/09/11 CMMDI Retired Members GroupDr S J Dunsford 23/09/11 Natural EnglandMr C Evans 02/11/11 Hyder UtilitiesDr A M Evans 19/09/11 West Midlands Retired Members GroupMrs L J Foy 07/10/11 Cobham DefenceMr F Gerrard 02/11/11 CMMDI Retired Members GroupMr T Gye 22/09/11 Avon Valley Retired Members GroupMr C M Hall 07/11/11 Ordnance SurveyMr A Hand 03/11/11 Scotland South Retired Members GroupMr P Hardy 26/09/11 AviationMr R C Hartley 05/10/11 EDF EnergyMr P D Hawkes 01/11/11 London Central Retired Members GroupMr J E Hewitt 11/11/11 Metropolitan PoliceMr D A Hill 11/10/11 GE HealthcareMr J P Holman 14/11/11 National Library of ScotlandMr H D Howard 18/10/11 Thames Valley Retired Members GroupMr D James 27/10/11 British EnergyMr V C Jones 03/11/11 Wales Retired Members GroupMr F W Jones 10/11/11 Sellafield LimitedMr R F Kimber 08/11/11 InnogyMrs P T Kingston 08/11/11 Southern Retired Members GroupMr S W Ledwith 20/09/11 Overseas Retired Members’ GroupDr D P G Lidbury 01/11/11 Serco Technical Consulting ServicesMr W G Lindsay 27/10/11 Scottish PowerMr L MacLean 21/09/11 Scotland North Retired Members GroupMr K C Marris 14/11/11 E.On UKDr J E McDonough 19/09/11 South East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr R W Meadows 15/11/11 South West Retired Members GroupMr C P Middlemiss 31/10/11 London Central Retired Members GroupMr D A Miller 22/09/11 Hyder UtilitiesMr R N Mitchell 19/09/11 Central Networks – WestMr D C Murray 27/09/11 Ministry of DefenceMr D E Newbold 11/11/11 Eastern GroupMr G J Pavitt 10/10/11 South East England Retired Members GroupMr A J Plant 11/10/11 West Midlands Retired Members GroupMr A E Pugh 05/10/11 South East England Retired Members GroupMr R J Royds 19/09/11 West Midlands Retired Members GroupMr D Scragg 10/10/11 AviationMr S Sedwell 28/10/11 Avon Valley Retired Members GroupMr P D Sewell 18/10/11 QinetiQMr A W Sloan 10/10/11 London ElectricityMr A Smith 27/10/11 Sellafield LimitedMr R H Smith 03/11/11 South West Retired Members GroupMr R B Stockton 02/11/11 North West Retired Members GroupMr P M Swann 04/11/11 Wales Retired Members GroupMr W C Taylor 28/10/11 Northern ElectricMr P G Taylor 14/11/11 South East England Retired Members GroupMr E A Titcombe 10/10/11 EDF SeeboardMr K E Tumber 27/10/11 Victoria and Albert MuseumMr J H Turnbull 03/10/11 Magnox Nuclear North and South SitesMr G F S Wallis 27/10/11 British EnergyMr K A Waters 11/10/11 South West Retired Members GroupMr K V Whiting 07/11/11 South East England Retired Members GroupMr J Whitnall 20/09/11 Magnox Nuclear North and South SitesMr R Winterburn 09/11/11 Yorkshire Retired Members GroupMr P P Wood 12/10/11 East Midlands Retired Members GroupMr R Wood 15/11/11 National GridMr G W Woodrow 28/10/11 Central Southern Retired Members GroupMr J C Woodward 19/09/11 Central Networks – WestMr W A H Wootten 07/11/11 E.On UKMr M D Worthington 17/10/11 Avon Valley Retired Members GroupMr R Yates 12/10/11 Southern Retired Members GroupMr L Young 10/10/11 Northern Electric

■■ Retired■Prospect■member■Mike■Conquer,■(above)■joined■Tony■Hall■and■Mike■Moriarty■(far■right)■at■the■lobby■of■parliament■by■the■National■Pensioners■Convention■at■the■end■of■October

RMG prepares for launch of eGroupTHE NATIONAL committee meeting of the retired members’ group held in September was given a very interesting presentation on the new Prospect website. There is to be an RMG eGroup which should make online communication for representatives a lot more user-friendly. With a following wind, it should be up and running by the end of the year.

Committee members made it clear to Prospect full-time staff that because of personal preferences, many retired members just do not wish to have their own computer system or to use local libraries and internet cafes to receive infor-mation: catering for these members – in the shape of hard copy versions of publications – must continue.

At the meeting the ‘action taken’ with regard to resolutions from the 2011 annual delegate conference was endorsed by the committee and sent out to area secretaries in time for annual general meetings. The 2012 ADC will be held on January 12.

The long-awaited update of the RMG organisation booklet is expected to conclude and it should be re-issued after the 2012 ADC.

Members will no doubt be aware that Prospect, along with other unions, has mounted a legal challenge against the change in pensions indexation from RPI to CPI, and a judicial review was held in the High Court on October 24-26.

It was reported that the retired member-

ship of Prospect has increased to 22,254, up another 1,063 from last December.

■ Another union, ‘Aspect’, that represents childcare and education services, is balloting to join Prospect in the new year. Its 4,000 members will be organised as a separate group if they vote in favour. We are told they have some 220 retired members.

■ If you have been in contact with asbestos at any time during your working life you are urged to add your name to Prospect’s asbestos register, which currently has 1,202 members listed. To do so, contact asbestos@prospect.org.uk

■ To all RECONNECT members Margaret and Gerald take this opportunity to welcome you to the retired members group. This is the time of year when area AGMs are held and we do hope that you will consider attending and meeting with your area’s national committee member: we look forward to your views.

Margaret Wastall (president, RMG) Gerald Perks (vice-president, RMG)

RECONNECT TRANSFERFOLLOWING THE dissolution of Reconnect and completion of the subsequent transfer of its members to the Prospect retired members group, Prospect is pleased to announce that the final set of accounts produced were fully audited and found satisfactory. Our thanks to all concerned.

SOUTH-EAST MIDLANDSThe annual general meeting of the South-East Midlands area will be on Wednesday January 4 at the Quaker Meeting House, 12 Southdown Road, Harpenden, Herts AL5 1PD at 2.30 pm, principally to discuss motions for the RMG ADC on January 12 and to brief area delegates. Copies of motions available at the meeting. Pub lunches from nearby Harpenden Arms and Silver Cup pub, restaurants in town centre. Free on-street parking in Southdown Road.

Trains can be met at Harpenden station by prior arrange-ment. For directions etc, contact Stuart Stearn (01727 837004) or Peter Welbank (01582 763634) before December 31. For members in postcodes AL, HP, LU, MK, SG and WD.

SOUTH WESTMargaret Wastall (chair) and Ernie Buckridge (secretary) of the South West area apologise for the incorrect dates for their annual general meeting given in Profile 5/11.

PICTURES: STEFANO CAGNONI

Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 n 29

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Profile_Classified_Dec11_Layout 1 05/12/2011 09:00 Page 29

LETTERSProfile

30 ■ Dec-Jan 6/11

Show some concern!Your correspondent who feels aggrieved at the outcry on pensions (Viewpoint 5/11) obviously has little sympathy with younger colleagues who have had a pay freeze and higher pension contributions to contend with.

Short of pensioners like us taking a small reduction in pension, paying more tax would be one way of showing solidarity with those facing poorer pension terms.

Now that obstacles to working beyond age 65 have been removed, a shortfall in pension income could be made up by continuing in paid work.

■ Name and address supplied

Pensions: now you decideWhile I understand that public sector workers will feel aggrieved at being financially worse off with the pension proposals, it is difficult to feel sorry for them. They have enjoyed a vastly inflated pension contribution from the taxman (ie private sector) for a long time compared to their own contribution. When the number of public sector workers increased under Labour it was apparent that the monies required to fund these contributions would become a burden on the private sector.

The majority of self-employed and private

cannot be funded from the contributions most people are making into either defined benefit or defined contribution schemes. Long term, our children will end up working a lot longer than age 66 and/or relying on government top-ups or means-tested benefits.

Equally, long-term care and NHS costs are likely to increase far faster than RPI or CPI, particularly if we back the right for carers to be paid more than the minimum wage! To imply that the taxpayer can or wants to continue to fund public sector schemes at 1.9 or 1.4 per cent of GDP in the future when there may be other demands on that money needs to be thought through and faced now.

I work for a non-departmental public body and pay into a funded, final salary DB scheme which is now closed to new members (a DC scheme is available to new employees). The scheme’s retirement age has always been 65 and the current active member contribution recently increased to 6.5 per cent, with a warning it could rise to 9.5 per cent.

Members were consulted about the increase and we valued the pension so highly that we backed an increase rather than face any prospect of it being closed to future accrual or benefits being changed. In reality, this was an immediate pay cut as, like all public sector workers, I too have ‘enjoyed’ a 1 per cent pay rise in each of the past two years under the government’s pay freeze.

The headline figures go on about an average 3.2 per cent hike in contributions that are currently only around 3 per cent (ours used to be 4 per cent). Those paying into DC schemes at these rates would be surprised at the low pension that would generate through an annuity. Many will consider it inadequate.

We should negotiate for access to fair pensions for all, but educate everyone on their cost, on the need to make them sustainable and to ensure they are valued.

■ Carol Davis, Leicester

CPI switch spreadsheetAs a retired civil servant I was concerned at the effect on my pension due to the

PUBLIC SECTOR PENSION INDEXATIONSo the High Court has ruled that the government’s change in pension

indexation from RPI to CPI was legal. Well, there’s a surprise!

Since the judges themselves enjoy public sector pensions, they have a conflict of interest. If they rule against the government, they will be seen as doing so for their own benefit.

There is only one place where there’s any possibility of finding fair justice in this case, and that’s at the European Court of Human Rights, where the great majority of judges won’t have any such conflict. So let us

pursue the case through the UK courts as quickly as possible, so that the case can be put to a fair tribunal as soon as possible.

For anyone who has any doubts regarding this case, I would point out that once the government establishes that it can change public sector pension indexation for accrued pension rights as it wishes, then all future security regarding indexation is lost. Today CPI, tomorrow some other even more inferior index devised by the government, then no indexation at all, or even reductions. All our pension contributions over the years will have bought a pup..

■ Chris Hewitt, Ceredigion

Letters should be sent by email to profile@prospect.org.uk, via fax on 020 7902 6665

or by post for the attention of the editor, New Prospect

House, 8 Leake Street, London SE1 7NN. Emails preferred.

Letters may be shortened for reasons of space.

PrizeLetter of the month receives a £10 book token

sector workers do not have a pension contribution funded by anyone except their own savings. Contrary to the propaganda to public sector workers, they are not all bankers, nor do they enjoy better salaries than the average public sector worker. In fact public sector workers enjoy a 7 per cent better income than private sector workers. And this before pension and early retirement benefits are taken into account.

So to public sector workers, would you be happy to trade your higher salary, improved benefits, preferential retirement age and publicly funded pension for a private sector job, or would it be better to accept what the nation has known for quite a few years? The current model is not sustainable.

■ Simond Simmons, Crowborough, East Sussex

Fair pensions for all – and better educationWhile I support Prospect’s role in the negotiations to ensure a fair solution to the public sector pensions issue, members should be realistic about the potential outcome.

We now live in retirement for nearly half the time we spend working. If we are to live longer we are going to have to work longer and pay more. Any maths student can tell you that a retirement lasting half your working life

■■■■First correct PrizeCrossword entry drawn from a hat will receive a £20 book token. Send your completed PrizeCrossword, plus your name, address and membership number, to the Editor at New Prospect House (see address above) Entries must be received by Friday January 20, 2012

ACROSS1 Old records, only four in vaulted passages (8)6 Become a member again and answer back (6)9 Way round near mountain road (6)10 Meeting US politicians here (8)11 Big in the middle? That’s generous (5-7)13 During summer gently be swallowed up (5)14 Mount they removed from northeast resort (9)17 Any recent trouble in reaching a ton? (9)19 Moving a few inches (5)21 Check leading vehicle at airport building (7,5)24 Noted lie somehow had been removed from printed

matter (8)25 South American city lad rampaged (6)26 Where cobbler works in the end (2,4)27 Some very onerous duties for each person (8)DOWN2 Sounds like very small brook in Welsh resort (4)3 Motorist’s halo? (9)4 Where service clothing is assumed (6)

CrossDec2011

5 Community generally form association (7)6 Gave up having done the plastering (8)7 Panellist on trial (5)8 Notice pins all over the place during examination (10)12 Charitable event noble arranged (10)15 Present politician some money (9)16 Unison, it negotiated with politician in Northern Ireland

(8)18 Train following (7)20 Distracted viewers I leave avoid crush (6)22 The thanks one gets for letter (5)23 Eager bloke entered interior (4)

■ Solution to appear in the next issue

ANSWERS OCTOBER 2010 – ACROSS: 1 Earning 5 Costume 9 Grog 10 Lieutenant 12 Ofttimes 13 Papaya 14 Professional 17 State pension 21 Midway 23 Annexure 24 Auctioneer 25 Open 26 Keyhole 27 Odyssey.

DOWN: 2 Adrift 3 Nightspot 4 Nelumbo 6 Octopus 7 Ton-up 8 Money-bag 11 Eastern Cape 15 Obnoxious 16 Attitude 18 Payroll 19 Ignored 20 Freeze 22 Watch.

NAME / ADDRESS: MEMBERSHIP NO:

LETTERS Profile

Dec-Jan 6/11 ■ 31

ProfileINDEX – Dec 11-Jan 1 225 Aviation security10 BAE job cuts

8 Carbon capture decision5 Casefile

27 Christmas legal quiz11 Clegg letter

5 CPI judicial review5 CSMA car prize

14 CSMA members’ services12 Devonport, Rosyth pay

9 Energy seminar6 Forensic science appeal8 Fukushima lessons

11 HSE cost recovery plans12 Indicators11 Löfstedt report12 MCA allowance

22-23 Members’ pension dispute pictures5 Members’ services leaflet

24 Messages of support6 Met Police no-strike proposal

10 MOD consultants9 NDA recognition

15 November 30 action9 Nuclear supply chain seminars5 Oxfam appeal

13 Pay 2011 round-up24 Pension ballot organisations21 Pension Eyes

16-19 Pension strike reports20 Pension tweets

3 Pensions dispute update24 Pensions Justice single singer12 Pre-budget statement10 Prospect defence survey

8 Prospect legal assistance4 Prospect subscriptions4 Prospect’s ten years3 Public service pay curb

28 Retired members5 State pension age change4 Uchange4better

27 Unfair dismissal changes13 Welsh environmental merger13 Welsh veterinary laboratories

3,7 Worktime Yourtime26 World Skills competition

change from RPI to CPI. When I prepared a spreadsheet to analyse the problem, the results were quite a shock. So that others could benefit I tidied up the calculations and prepared a website at website http://pensions.misceng.org.uk

■ Alfred Reading, Surrey

Political and trade union opposition is ‘too muted’I was inspired to send this email by the front cover of October’s Profile.

An excellent article in Profile 3/11 showed how the deficit was due to decreased tax revenues, not increased spending. Why did the Labour party not use this defence? Can it be that they didn’t have the stomach to increase taxes as required to sort out the mess?

Sadly, the finance sector is responsible for most UK output since the Thatcherisation of production and manufacturing and its export to Korea, China, etc. The consequence is that any hiatus in its prospects means a failure in the UK’s financial prospects. This sector owns and controls the Tory party so is it likely that this government will tackle the real problem (tax evasion and bank fraud) in the face of such muted opposition?

I have heard excellent defences of civil servants’ employment by union leaders but there is little sympathy from the general populace, whose pensions have already been stolen by their employers. Perhaps the inequality of directors’ pay and pensions needs to be discussed in terms of the theft of workers’ pensions funding the increase in directors’ pay?

If our union does not spell out the criminal activities of politicians, banks and corporations then they cannot expect the

general populace to sympathise with civil servants as fellow workers

■ David Armitage, Westow, York

Sort out the political issues first, Mr HuhneThe Office for Nuclear Regulation is soon likely to issue an interim acceptance of the generic design assessment which has been ongoing for four years. I am comfortable that by the end of this process all the technical issues will have been addressed and the safety case established.

But there are a number of related issues I am far less happy with:

a) What will happen to nuclear waste? We have no agreed policy for long-term storage.

b) What will be the arrangements for decommissioning the plants? We (the consumer) have paid to decommission the current reactors several times over through the nuclear levy etc – but not one has been fully decommissioned.

c) What arrangements will be put in place

to deal with potential leaks and terrorist threats?

These are political issues, but significantly the political establishment has chosen not to address them for 60 years. Is it too much to hope that they are sorted before new build is allowed to commence? I suspect so.

■ John Attree, Abingdon

Selective use of evidence is travesty of scienceWho does Rod Eaton think he’s kidding (ViewPoint 4/11) with his back-of-the-envelope calculations purporting to show that increased CO2 levels have not led to significant increases in average global temperatures? Does he really believe that looking at temperature trends over a few decades along with associated changes in CO2 concentrations shows anything useful in itself, let alone provides any kind of evidence to dispute the current mainstream understanding of how CO2 affects global temperatures?

As he notes, many factors are relevant to global temperatures in addition to CO2: other greenhouse gases, volcanic effects, pollution, El Nino/Nina, solar cycles. It is pointless to ignore all but one of these factors and then try to prove or disprove that the remaining factor can account for the observed changes in temperature.

Any serious climate model needs to take into account all of the relevant influences, in their appropriate proportions, to try and predict observations. It is downright daft to think this can be done with CO2 alone.

As real scientists with expertise in the field acknowledge, current models are far from perfect and do not yet incorporate all important effects in a sufficiently accurate way. Yet they are already able to model past temperature trends with good accuracy and offer our best chance to understand likely trends in the future.

Rod Eaton may be fooling himself with his figures, but he’s not fooling anybody else.

■ Howard Wright, Malvern, Worcs

Renewable phoenix may not ariseWhatever the arguments for or against generating electricity using renewable resources, one has to be aware that their variability causes those generating stations which operate by demand-led control to lose efficiency. Also, moving a large number of relatively small quantities of electrical power around the distribution system creates greater losses than moving a single equivalent large amount.

It is unfortunate that Dr Lee Jones closed his letter (ViewPoint 3/11) with the words “in favour of the renewable phoenix.”

Everyone knows that a phoenix will unpredictably, unceremoniously and catastrophically burst into flames and fall into a pile of ash. There is no guarantee that a fledgling phoenix will arise immediately.

■ David Loxley, Pickering, North Yorkshire

Rocking the boat is never welcomeYour star letter in ViewPoint 5/11 reminded me of my own experience in the 1970s when what I thought was a well-received plan to avoid duplication and improve efficiency turned into a very wrong move for me.

After I submitted eight pages of A4 – which I had hoped could be debated to prove or disprove their validity – to the staff suggestions committee I received a phone call from the chairman. He felt my suggestions were well-intended but suggested it might be prudent to withdraw my submission as the only people with the expertise to evaluate it were my own organisation, and my action would be seen as ‘rocking the boat.’

After some consideration I withdrew six pages as they spoke in generalities and not in the particular. I asked for the two remaining pages to go forward, reasoning that “if nothing is done, nothing will be done.”

All hell broke loose when my two pages were received by management. Typewriters were scrutinised in an attempt to identify the typeface and produce the culprit. I was

never directly challenged and received no feedback from the suggestions committee, although I did receive a comment that I had a ‘vitriolic pen’.

I found myself a marked man and realised that the staff suggestion system was unworkable using this form of adjudication. Incumbents always see criticism of poor practice as a personal attack and not the wider issue of the need to change the system.

■ Roy Killick, West Sussex

WORD SolutionOct-Nov11Solution: YESTERDAY

Thinks...? DEC11-JAN121 – Rearrange the following letters to give two different 11-letter words.

AEEIMNNORUT2 – What familiar phrase or saying is represented here?

IN IN■ Solution to appear in the next issue

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