Solidarity campaign at Interserve averts redundancy

In July, Interserve announced that it wanted to make very considerable “efficiency savings” on their contract for DfE, DCLG and Ofqual support services. There are about 300 staff nationally covered by the contract, some of whom are based in Coventry and Birmingham.

Luke Slowen, a PCS DFE rep in Coventry DFE says “This would have either led to redundancies or reductions in the number of hours worked by Interserve staff, which in turn would also have an impact on the quality of support services on which DfE staff depend. These are our colleagues who keep Earlsdon Park and other DfE sites ticking through their diligent cleaning, reception and security services, and they have been put at risk of redundancy by their employer, Interserve. The organisation are re-arranging staffing levels across their contract with E and looking to make cost savings wherever possible."

Staff in Interserve are saying that they already work to capacity - in some cases, over capacity - and can’t work any harder if hours and jobs are cut. As one of the cleaners said; “we are not slaves!”

In February of this year, Interserve reported a 4.7%rise in their profits from £64.1 million in 2010 to £67.1 million in 2011. (£36.4 million in 2011 from their UK support services operations alone).

Following the announcements PCS reps, already looking to help these staff get recognition, acted with a campaign across DfE, DCLG and Ofqual to bring pressure to bear on Interserve and their contract. This solidarity provided a basis for a recruitment campaign amongst Interserve staff with almost all the effected 'at risk' staff joining in a union meeting following the announcement.

PCS consequently managed to halt the process in July, and have now agreed to sit down and consult properly with the union. This is an excellent initial victory but it’s far from the end - clearly we must remain vigilant. The drive for increased profits has not gone away, therefore we need to continue to organise so the management know we are not an easy target.

September 2012

March outside the Conservative Party Conference

7th October Birmingham

Fill every coach to London 20th October for the

national TUC march “for a future that

works”

Support groups strikes such as

those in the DWP Contact Centres, DVLA and DSA to build momentum

Getting ready for a hot Autumn Lets make sure we demonstrate our opposition to government cuts and austerity this Autumn

DATE LOCATION TIMES VENUE

17 Sept BIRMINGHAM 11—3 Midlands Regional Office

19 Sept DUDLEY 11—3 Central Library

20 Sept NOTTINGHAM 11—3 APEX Court

21 Sept TELFORD 11—3 Meeting Point House

24 Sept LEICESTER 11—3 Secular Hall

27 Sep STOKE 11—3 CWU offices

28 Sept NORTHAMPTON 11—3 Unite offices

1 Oct LINCOLN 11—3 Labour Club

2 Oct DERBY 11—3 Derby UNITE offices

3 Oct COVENTRY 11—3 Sherborne House

across the Midlands

PCS National Briefings An introduction to Christine Peduzzi, Midlands Office Manager. I have worked for PCS for over 22 years, joining IRSF in 1989.

What does your job involve? - As Office Manager my role is to manage the support team to provide effective support to the officers.

Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues don’t know? - That I once held a knife to someone’s throat as part of a stage act!

What makes you angry? - Cruelty.

If you had a fantasy dinner party, which 6 people would you invite and why? - Mary Wollstencraft, Emily Wilding Davison, Anyeurin Bevan, Marie Stopes, James and George Loveless because they all have played a major part in shaping the life that I lead today.

What is the best bit about working for PCS? - Being able to work for an organisation that makes a discernable difference to people’s lives.

If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be? - A properly funded NHS, an end to inequality and end to the coalition.

What is your favourite book? - Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

What is your favourite film? - The Elephant Man.

Why should we march? In October there are two marches that we are encouraging members, their families and friends to attend; the demo at the Tory conference in Birmingham on 7th and the TUC ‘A future that works’ march in London on the 20th.

No doubt you will be confronted by those that say marching never achieved anything, and we marched on 26th March last year, and nothing has changed. Neither of these statements are true. Marching is the best way of demonstrating opposition to what governments are doing or planning to do. Marching often inspires many to join campaigns, and gives courage to others to say “no” or what is happening is not acceptable. Marching over the centuries and across the world has led to fundamental changes to many to list here.

And things have changed since the 26th March last year, without that march there wouldn’t have been the action on 30th November, and whilst this was not the outright victory we

wanted over pensions, it did force a shift, and meant the government changed their plans on number issues for the fear of even more public outcry. In terms of the 30th November we had marches right across the country where virtually all of these were applauded by ordinary members of the public.

We need both these marches in October to be successful and big, the risk is that if these marches are not as good as before the government and the media will say that the austerity measures are no longer a problem. We need these marches to be huge to send the message to the media and the government, and to get all the unions working as one to ensure that the austerity measures are stopped.

Do what you can to encourage members to come to Birmingham on the 7th October and London on the 20th, transport to both is free, and details on the back page of this newsletter.

It is important that every branch sends 4 delegates to the nearest briefing. To book a place or call the Midlands Regional Office on

0121 643 4342. Lunch will be provided.

Regional Secretary Report Andrew Lloyd

Learning is a tool to organise in the Justice Sector

Helen Penn—Berkeley has taken Learning at work day to a new level with a rolling roadshow around the Midlands MOJ workplaces. Attracting high numbers of members, non members and surrounding workplaces, the events have also drawn high praise from management and training providers wherever they go. The events offer a fusion of learning tasters including Local Colleges, Unionlearn, Community Learning opportunities, Tasters of leisure/aspirational learning, Health and Safety ‘Spot the Workplace Hazards’ competition and Skills for Life assessments. This successful approach has resulted in hundreds of staff being engaged with the union project, new members to the union and workplace representatives. Helen who has recently become the Regional learning Co-ordinator for the Midlands PCS in MOJ will be sharing her ideas at the Midlands Learning and Organising Conference.

For all Midlands Branch Organisers, Branch Learning Co-ordinators and Union Learning Reps

This one day conference will focus on how the learning agenda can be embedded into the day to day work of the union. It will be an opportunity for branch organisers, BLCs and ULRs to develop a shared agenda to take learning forward as part of a wider campaigns and organising strategy for the region.

Organising and Learning Conference 2012

Y Theatre Leicester 11th October

Birmingham City Committee relaunch

In the lead up to the May strike Birmingham City Committee was re-launched. The committee has been attended by a mixture of different activists from PCS in HMRC, DWP, MOD, Justice sector, DfT and bodies such as Ofwat. Ensuring that everyone can be involved in leading on key issues has been instrumental in making our meetings a success. The lessons we would share for launching or revitalising a town/city committee are to: 1. Keep it inclusive—involve all the of the workplaces and groups in your area and find a time and place people can make. Ensure that under-represented groups are proactively involved. 2. Communicate—divide up a ring round list of all activists in the area and contact people in advance of every meeting—don’t just rely on email. It is important not to just invite reps and activists but ask them to bring members from their workplaces. Birmingham has issued 4 newssheets in as many months. Handing them out 121 in the workplace allows an interaction other forms of communication do not. 3. Keep it interesting and relevant. Birmingham City Committee plan their agenda, never let it go over an hour and invite guest speakers and campaigns along to our meetings. There is always something for people to get involved with and we always provide an introduction to people attending for the first time, each of whom may be presented with the opportunity to lead the meetings with our rotating chair policy. If you live or work in Birmingham come along to one of our meetings, which take place at 5pm on the first Thursday of every month and help us organise for success. At our next meeting we will be discussing ways to maximise the impact of the march outside the Conservative Party Conference on the October 7th, as well as filling coaches for the TUC “Future that works” march in London on the October 20th. For more details email surjit.kumar@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk

Surjit Kumar, Regional Committee liaison for Birmingham

Since re-launching Birmingham City Committee has:

Held a training session with Jack Dromey MP Organised a budget day protest outside Birmingham

Council House in conjunction with local anti cuts groups, student groups and union branches.

Supported Birmingham workers memorial day Held a candidates Question Time for the local

government elections with over 40 people. Supported a demonstration to save our NHS outside

a health conference attended by Andrew Lansley Helped to organise and co-ordinate pickets lines and

action on the May 10 strike organising a joint protest and rally with UNITE and UCU at the QE hospital

Joined hundreds of students and trade unions at Birmingham Pride to ensure it was a protest. The parade was watched by over 50,000 people. PCS helped to ensure that over 4000 leaflets and 100 placards were distributed highlighting the disproportional effect of the cuts on LGBT people.

Organising to Win

Check your facts—a guide to PCS pamphlets

This vital pamphlet examines the impact of austerity on everything

we hold dear in our welfare state from cradle to grave. It

concisely highlights the dangers but also

presents an alternative.

Two years ago PCS argued there is an alternative to

the cuts. This pamphlet not only argues how we

need this now more than ever but damningly illustrates how the ConDem austerity

programme is not working.

With simple illustrations of how income inequality has widened this pamphlet not

only tackles head on the impact of massive bonuses

and pay increases for the rich but the impact of regional pay, cuts and

austerity on the rest of us.

Steve Battlemuch, Regional Organiser

I am often asked what is the most important thing a new rep can do to help the Union. My answer is simple – TALK TO MEMBERS!

I know this seems obvious but it is the most fundamental skill that any rep can develop and older more experienced reps need these skills too. In the age of increasing reliance on social media and electronic communication we can be forgiven for thinking that having a good website and being a wiz on facebook and twitter is the key to a healthy branch. Clearly we all need to make sure we are up to date with the new media opportunities but the best form of communications is still face to face.

Allocating a clear section of members to reps in each workplace is the first step. These reps then build a relationship with the members on their ‘patch’. Over time the members will come to rely on good information and support from the rep and trust will be built. When it then comes to key issues of Industrial Action or support for the union on other issues then this trust should be paid back in droves – or that is how the theory works! Good Rep / Member liaison should mean no surprises when it comes to a strike day or an indicative ballot as you will have had detailed feedback from the reps on the member’s views.

It can be daunting at first to talk to members on a 1:1 basis – and also at workplace meetings – but good preparation is the key and once you feel confident about the key issues then it really is no different than talking to a friend in the pub or your neighbour at home. In my opinion the key is not to think that you need to have the answer to every possible question you may get asked – if you think this you will never talk to anyone! If you don’t know the answer just say so and that you will find out. Then make sure you do and get back to them as quickly as you can – again this builds trust and shows you are reliable.

Most people reading this article know all this – the key is to ensure that all the reps in your branch have the confidence to operate in this way. Linked to this article are some bullet points drawn from a national leaflet – make sure this is discussed at your next Branch Committee and contact me at steveb@pcs.org.uk if you need any assistance or training on these issues.

Check your facts—a guide to PCS pamphlets Originally published in 2010. Over 250 000 copies of this pamphlet

have been distributed with many more reading

online. Whilst sadly the concerns it has raised

have proven to be right and credible so too are

the alternatives, making them all the more

important to fight for.

Jointly produced with UNITE, NUT, UCU and the national pensioners

convention this pamphlet thoroughly addresses the

issue of fair pensions. Whether state, private or

public there should be fair pensions for all

tackling the argument one should not be at the

expense of the another

If history has taught us anything, it is never to turn our back on the threat posed by racism

and fascism. This pamphlet tackles the challenges of the

cuts, defends a multicultural UK,

highlights PCS policy, campaigns and our

partners.

Liaison for Wolverhampton town committee

Jawid Iqbal Jawid.Iqbal@highways.gsi.gov.uk

I work for the Highways Agency in Birmingham. I have been a PCS activist since 2003. I have served on branch, section and group

committees as well as the National Black Members’ Committee.

A brief introduction to your Regional Committee elect 2012—13

Liaison for Birmingham city committee

Surjit Kumar Langi Surjit.Kumar@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk

I am Surjit Kumar Langi (PCS Ofwat Branch) am Vice Chair / Black Members’ Rep for my branch, and I am looking forward to new challenges presented by the Regional Committee.

Liaison for Worcestershire

Mick Mace COS-PCSBranchSec@mod.uk—(01902) 377294

Defence Sector Group (DsG) Regional Liaison Officer (RLO), Branch Secretary MoD Cosford Branch, Vice Chair Specialist Instructional

Officers (SIO) Committee, Vice Chair Telford Shropshire Trades Council

Liason for Shropshire action group

Jill Holland jillholland09@googlemail.com

As the PCS Regional Committee member for Shropshire l am responsible for co-ordinating trade union activities within the county.

I can be contacted by email.

Sian Ruddick—Regional Chair

Sian.ruddick@gmail.com—07967131728

I have been a member for over 30 years, Branch secretary for 25 years, a member of CPSA and PCS GEC

for the DWP for 20 years+, and Chair of the DWP region for 10 years.

Steve Thorley—Regional Vice Chair Responsible for political work

Steve.Thorley@cps.gsi.gov.uk—07776226148

I am currently the Vice Chair for the CPS East Midlands branch & President of the CPS Group. I have been a rep for

20 years starting as a H&S rep in the Nottingham office

Liaison for Staffordshire

Peter Rofe Peter.Rofe@Jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk—07740 868319

DWP Branch Secretary for North Staffordshire with 20 years of Trade Union experience. Holds TUC Diplomas in Employment Law and Occupational Health & Safety. Interest areas: Campaign activity,

Political Lobbying.

Liaison for Dudley town committee

Nigel Bayton nigel.bayton@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk—07827817205

I have been involved in the union movement for best part of 30 years holding various positions. At present secretary of Dudley TUC, proud

socialist and LU member.

Liaison for Coventry city committee

Joe Foster joseph.foster@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk

I am Joseph Foster (PCS Ofwat Branch) am Secretary for my branch and have a long standing association with PCS, with many years of

experience across numerous campaigns.

A brief introduction to your Regional Committee elect 2012—13

Liaison for Northampton town committee

Martyn Collins mdjcollins@btinternet.com

I work in the Court service in Northampton, and I am a member of the Group Executive Committee for MOJ. I have been an active BEC

member for a number of years, and I am also part of the MOJ RTUS.

Liaison for Leicester city committee

Liaison for Lincolnshire

Dave Vickers david.vickers2@talktalk.net—07906236417

Employed in NOMS for 27 years as an Instructor, am currently Vice Chair of PCS NOMS East Midlands Branch and PCS NOMS Assistant Group Secretary with responsibility for Equality, Health and Safety.

Liaison for Derbyshire

Paul Martin nottspcs@hotmail.co.uk—017986 351807

I am branch secretary at the Independent Living Fund and have been a lay tutor for PCS since 2010. I'm also a regional committee and public

sector group committee member.

Liaison for Nottingham city committee

Viv Perkins VIV.PERKINS@JOBCENTREPLUS.GSI.GOV.UK—0115 9416767

I am Branch Secretary for DWP Nottingham branch, DWP East Mids Regional organiser and a member of the Group women's advisory

committee. I also Lay Tutor for the Midlands region.

Mike Veric—Regional Vice Chair Responsible for Education and Learning

michael.veric@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk—03000 573777

A member of PCS and predecessor Civil Service unions since 1974. Since 1976 I’ve held various union positions in MoD &

HMRC at Branch, Regional and Departmental level.

Ashley Woodstock—Regional Vice Chair Responsibility for Organising

Ashley.woodstock@cps.gsi.gov.uk—01902872493

I work for the Crown Prosecution Service, I am currently a CPS West Midlands Branch Ordinary Member, but I am also

CPS Group Vice President.

Liaison for Staffordshire

Peter Rofe Peter.Rofe@Jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk—07740 868319

DWP Branch Secretary for North Staffordshire with 20 years of Trade Union experience. Holds TUC Diplomas in Employment Law and Occupational Health & Safety. Interest areas: Campaign activity,

Political Lobbying.

Martin Page 07951 638814

32 years as a Rep. Branch Secretary of Leicestershire Revenue & Customs Branch & County Committee. Left Unity, Labour Party

member and supporter of the paper Socialist Appeal.

Liaison for Coventry city committee

Joe Foster joseph.foster@ofwat.gsi.gov.uk

I am Joseph Foster (PCS Ofwat Branch) am Secretary for my branch and have a long standing association with PCS, with many years of

experience across numerous campaigns.

The Government has announced its intention to close HMP Wellingborough with the loss of 600 prison places and over 200 jobs. NOMS management list prisons 1 to 120, with 1 being the prison most likely to be closed if a drop in prison population allows, not surprisingly the 13 private prisons all fall at the end of the list. This means only public sector prisons will close. This comes at the same time as the Prison reform trust reveals that prisons such as Leicester are holding more prisoners than they are designed for. In Leicester’s case nearly 100 more. Instead of using the spare capacity in the system to relieve this problem, prisons are being closed to save money. Where a prisons population is lower, staff have more time to address offending behaviour and reduce the risk of reoffending. Surely in the long run preventing reoffending will save more money not just for the tax payer but business as well who fall foul of criminal activity.

According to Government figures there are 4000 spare places, many of these are in privately run prisons such as HMP Oakwood (run by G4S) in the West Midlands to which many of the prisoners in Wellingborough are being transferred. In 2009 it was decided to market test the Prison. This was later abandoned we are told because private prison providers were not willing to invest in the refurbishment required. Wellingborough has steadily improved due to the hard work of management and staff and understandably staff and management are devastated, but for some this is the second time they have faced uncertainty over their future having moved to Wellingborough from Ashwell when that closed recently. There is a local community based campaign, Locals against Wellingborough closing, (LAWS) supported by the POA and PCS.

PCS have launched a petition calling for an urgent independent review of the impact of privatisation of prisons. www.pcs.org.uk/prisonspetition

Dave Vickers, Vice Chair of PCS NOMS East Midlands

Peter Bone MP has secured a debate in Westminster Hall and has supported a demonstration/presence outside the House of Commons on September 5th.

Newsline is produced by Midlands PCS Regional Office New Oxford House, 16 Waterloo Street, Birmingham B2 5UG

0121 643 4342—midlands@pcs.org.uk

Wellingborough prison to close?

BOOK YOUR COACH PLACE TODAY FOR OCTOBER 20th

Birmingham—Pick up Paradise Circus (behind Town Hall) 07.45. Contact colette.orton@cps.gsi.gov.uk

Nottingham—Pick up The Royal Centre, Sherwood Street, Nottingham, NG1 5ND. 07.00 Contact pete.collier@dsa.gsi.gov.uk

Dudley & Stourbridge—Pick up Dudley College, The Broadway, DY1 4AS & Stourbridge Labour Club & Institute, The Lawns, Hagley Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1QR. Times to be confirmed. Contact nigel.bayton@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Wolverhampton & Walsall—Pick up Wolverhampton Falkland Street 07.30 & Walsall Bradford Mall WS1 1YT 07.45. Contact debra.elson@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Coventry—Pick up Leigh Court, Torrington Avenue, Coventry CV4 9XZ 08.00 & Sherborne House, 1 Manor Drive, Coventry CV4 9XZ. Contact james.molloy@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Shrewsbury & Telford—Pick up Abbey Foregate Bus Station, Shrewsbury 06.15 & Telford Bus Station, Telford 06.45. Contact jill.holland@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Hanley & Stoke on Trent—Pick up 06.45 Birch Terrace (adjacent to Hanley City Centre Bus Station). Contact peter.rofe@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Leicester—Pick up from Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WB 07.30. Contact Martin Page by texting COACHES to 07951 638814.

Lincoln—Pick up Railway Stop, Wigford Way, Lincoln LN1 1VX 06.00. Contact nicktparker@gmail.com / 07793682201.

Northampton—Pick up from The coach station, The Mount at 08.30 hrs. Contact Martyn Collins at mdjcollins@btinternet.com or 07963 794549.

PUBLIC MEETING—"A Fairer North Staffordshire" - debating the alternatives to Cuts and Privatisation

with Mark Serwotka PCS General Secretary, Dot Gibson National Pensioners Convention, Roger Seifert Professor of Industrial Relations University Wolverhampton.

6:30 pm 9th October 2012—Potteries Museum Theatre Free entry but booking essential. To reserve a place please email your name and address to northstaffstuc@gmail.com or 01782 201724

On 20 October, PCS is attending TUC demonstrations in London, Belfast and Glasgow and wants it to be record breaking. To help in achieving that objective, we are arranging transport from the midlands to London, and the details are given below. For the latest information including pick up times keep an eye on www.pcs.org.uk/en/midlands or get in touch with the contact below.