pcs union midlands regional newsline autumn 2014

8/10/2019 PCS Union Midlands Regional Newsline Autumn 2014

1/12

At Sparkhill Job centre plus on strike day we had 25

pickets, cooked pakora breakfast, Janice Godrich came to

visit and we got on local radio and news programmes. There

were more people on the picket line than crossed it, and a

urther 50 people were on strike.

We havent always been this successful! - Staff in the

office are, like everybody else, fed up with our pay falling in

eal terms every year. As we told the press most of us struggle

o get by at the end of each month. But to be honest this

wasnt the key issue in delivering the picket line. The daily

grind at work, the constant demands for change, the

ncreasing pace of work, insufficient training and many other

ssues came together. We have held car park meetings over

pay and over the digitalisation of jobcentres. PCS members in

our office want to be listened to.

The other key change was when a newish member of

the union decided they would join the picket, and got their

friends to agree as well.

Another member offered to cook pakora for breakfast,

so we started rounding up cooking facilities, a gazebo, flags.

As the word spread that the picket was going to be a party

more and more people told us they were coming. This had the

impact of persuading some people who were considering

working to stay away. We sent the PCS President, Janice

Godrich, a message on facebook inviting her to breakfast and

when she confirmed this further lifted the mood.

We had an excellent morning. We found our voice.

The next day in the office was excellent as well. Everyone

was smiling. Several more people promised to join the next

picket. More people have joined the union, taking us to

about 90% density. As we face more battles, both nationally

and locally, we now know that we will stand together.

PCS PICNIC ON THE PICKET AT SPARKHILL JOBCENTRE

Sparkhill Job Centre Reps

Midlands Regional Newsline

Autumn 2014


2/12

A new team has been

formed in the Midlands to

assist branches and work-

places on the switch to

direct debit.

Along with the national

campaign, the switch to

direct debit, is the number 1

priority of the union.

Although our team has

been given a specific list of

workplaces to support from

the bargaining groups in the

union, please do get in touchif you need publicity

materials for your workplace

or advice.

Just a few weeks in, we feel

we have helped workplace

reps to make some real

progress.

To highlight a few:

Branch reps in CMEC

Dudley have increased the

numbers of DD switches

from 22% to 51%. With

over 600 members in the

workplace this is an

excellent development.

In Reddich DWP the DD

team have assisted

Worcester branch to

recruit and train a new

workplace rep and

following a visit, increase

the percentage on DD

from 14% to 51%.

Leicester Pensions, Child

Maintenaince and JCP are

roaring ahead with 61%

switched.

Dozens of members came

to a workplace meeting

organised by reps in

Walsall Pensions to

discuss the switch. Hard

work and meticulous

follow up has maintained

the momentum bringing

up the percentage from29% to 65% switched.

Wherever we go reps tell

us that our visit gives them a

boost. Visits give members

an opportunity to meet us.

This often results inidentifying new activists, the

recruitment of new

members and provides an

opportunity to renew and

refresh the relationship with

the Midlands Region. This

includes our equality

networks, unionlearning for

members and activist

training for reps.

Progress is being made

everyday but clearly we

cannot be complacent. We

urge all reps to make this a

priority.

PCS Midlands DD Team

Andrew Lloyd, Geoff Dexter,

Paul Martin, Bob Barron

0121 643 4342

I

I am Paul Martin, and Ihave recently started

working for PCS in the

Midlands region. Prior to

starting here, I was a civil

servant working for the

Independent Living Fund in

Nottinghamwhich

supports the independence

of nearly 20,000 severely

disabled people in the UKa public service which, sadly,

the Government decided

can no longer be afforded

and will close in June 2015.

Since September this

year, Ive been

administering the activities

of the Direct Debit Field

Team across the midlands

region. The team, which

comprises regional secretaryAndrew Lloyd, Geoff Dexter,

Bob Barron and myself have

been working flat-out on the

project since then.

Working with PCS groups

and reps at branch level,

PCS have identified some

key, target workplaces in

the region. Alongside reps

on the ground, we have sup-ported activities like lunch-

time stalls, member meet-

ings and one-to-one chats,

which in turn, has meant a

significant number of mem-

bers signing up to DD right

there and then!

Signing up for DD couldnt

be simpler. You can do it

online, via the PCS website,

the whole process takes lessthan two minutes.

Alternatively, and equally

quickly, you can sign up by

free-phone on 0800 317

464. And for those that

want to, switch-over can be

completed by free-post

see your local rep for a

form.

The withdrawal of check-off represents nothing short

of a vicious and cynical

attack on PCS, on its

members and our ability to

represent you in the

workplace and campaign

effectively on your behalf.

We should all be aware

just how vital the success of

the DD switch-over

campaign is to the future ofthe PCS union. Your union

membership is at stake.

Make the DD switch-over

your priority for today. -

and tell your colleagues.

New Midlands DDteam formed to support workplaces

Welcome to Paul

Martin, new office

administrator


3/12

www.pcs.org.uk/ddday

| national insurance no. | sort code | account number no. |

TOPTIP

WHAT YOU NEED

You can normally find this on your pay slip

Any queries call 0800 317464

ARE YOUDIRECT DEBITREADY?


4/12

Andrew LloydPCS Midlands

Regional Secretary

What a massive month we

have had in terms of actionand activities, more here in the Midlands than anywhere

else.

As well as the brilliant response to the strike action on

the 15th October, the 6 PCS buses from the region to

support the TUC Britain Needs a Pay rise march on 18th

October in London, we have had the NHS march passing

through many towns and cities of the Midlands.

On top of this we had the TUC Hard up festival in

Birmingham. I estimate that we had over 250 PCS members

attending. In addition to local activists, members travelled

from a number of other PCS regions. This included thefantastic North West PCS Samba band, to whom we owe a

big thank you. They certainly gave us an even bigger

profile.

PCS played an integral role in supporting the Birmingham

Hard Up festival. More than this, it was through a PCS

motion that the event happened at all.

I know all members will share my view that it was

fantastic to have the General Secretary, Mark Serwotka

present and speaking alongside Owen Jones and other

General Secretaries. You can see Marks speech to the

festival and get a real flavour of the day by visiting ouryoutube channel at www.youtube.com/pcsmidlands

All reps and branch delegates will get another chance to

hear the latest on the PCS national campaign and the DD

campaign when Mark speaks at a Midlands Regional

Commiittee at 2PM in the PCS regional office in

Birmingham on Thursday 20th November. To guarantee a

seat at the meeting make sure you contact Mark Robinson

(another new team member), on 0121 643 4342 or by

email on [email protected] .

Mark Robinson has joined the PCS regional team on a six

month secondment. Mark is also one of our nominees for areps award to the Midlands TUC 3rd Awards event on 28th

November. We have nominations in two other categories.

Our reps have won awards at the two previous events.

Finally can I offer my thanks to all the reps and activists

that have worked their socks off over the last period to

not only fight off the attacks of government but also to

ensure that PCS remains the force it has always been.

SINCE 2008: UK PAY FELL 8.4% -11 BILLION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

JOIN MARK SERWOTKA, General Secretary of

PCS Union our Regional Committee meeting

at the Midlands Regional Office

2 PMTHURSDAY 20th NOVEMBER


5/12

Further evidence why Britain needs a

pay rise...

A new report underlines why Britain needs a

pay rise, showing the proportion of employees in

low-paid work across the UK has passed 5 million.

The Resolution Foundation report reveals, in itsannual audit of low pay across the country, that the

proportion of employees in low-paid work across Britain

increased from 21 to 22% last year.

Low Pay Britain 2014shows that the number of

people earning less than two-thirds of median hourly pay,

equivalent to 7.69 an hour, rose to 5.2 million, an

increase of 250,000 on the previous year.

The research shows that the proportion of employees

earning less than 7.69 an hour rose, reversing a small

improvement in the previous year.

It is clear that preventing people getting stuck inlow pay and helping them to move out of in-work poverty

should be a priority for employers, the government and

all political parties.

Across the UK pay cuts have damaged the economy

and caused real hardship for millions of people. Our

members are facing the tightest living standards squeeze

for nearly a century.

Taking action for fair pay

PCS members went on strike on 15 October andfollowed that up 3 days later by joining more than

100,000 people in London, Glasgow and Belfast in

marching for fair pay.

The marches highlighted the fact that workers have

faced a chilling squeeze on incomes: average wages have

plummeted by 50 a week in real terms since 2007.

Many of our members are struggling to live as, over

the last 4 years, the cost of food, fuel, childcare and

housing has rocketed while, in real terms, pay has

declined.

The governments pay squeeze - a pay freezefollowed by a 1% cap - has meant that, compared to

prices, the average civil servants pay is now worth 2,300

less than in 2010. The chancellors announcement at the

Conservative party conference that the pay freeze will

continue to 2017 will only make matters worse.

THE PCS PAY CLAIM: -1,200OR 5% PAY INCREASE
http://report%20http//www.resolutionfoundation.org/media/press-releases/number-of-low-paid-workers-across-britain-hits-record-high-of-over-five-million/http://report%20http//www.resolutionfoundation.org/media/press-releases/number-of-low-paid-workers-across-britain-hits-record-high-of-over-five-million/


6/12

#OCT15 PAY STRIKE & PICKETS

Hand made placard seen at Revenue and Custom pickets Leicester DWP

Coventry R&C

Nottingham T

North Staffs Town Committee

MOJ Leicester and Rutland

MOJ CJC Birmingham

DVSA Nottingham

Nottingham Town Committee


7/12

Information and getting it out to the members are key in

organising any form of actionthe earlier the better. Thats

why campaigns like Count Me In are so important.

As departments seek to minimise the influence of PCS and we

come under increasing pressure with attacks on check-off, facilities

time and the ability to communicate with members directly within the

workplace, we should be trying to get alternative contact details fromall members.

There is nothing more annoying for members than to see in the

paper or hear on the news/radio first that they are to take action.

Although it cant be avoided in all cases, we try to ensure we have

leafleting at the workplace gates as soon as we know a date or time.

We usually produce our own leaflet which has a local slant to

supplement the national literature. Clever placing of placards and

stickers on lampposts near work also gives us another avenue for

telling members what is happening. For picket lines we usually appeal

for members to come along. On certain issues we will hold offpremises meetings to explain the issues.

We also prepare our own press release and send it to all the

media, radio & press at national and local leveleven down to some

of the weekly town papers. This usually results in good paper

coverage, radio and TV interviewsa shot of our picket line from 4

years ago usually precedes East Midlands news on BBC when PCS are

out.

On the day we ensure there are pickets on every entrance.

Everybody is challenged, and if going in, asked to contribute to the

hardship fundwhere its needed we will remonstrate, we alwayshave leaflets appealing to stay out and of course membership forms.

Records are kept so we know how many go in and the split

between ARC, non-members and members. A post discussion is

always held at BEC level and anything we can do better.

The last action taken resulted in 89.5% members outhowever

a number were waiting for VE. Our mottoWill Do Better each

time!

STRIKE TOP TIPS:Martin Page, PCS Leicester Revenue & Customs

PCS memberslobby office ofNottingham MPs

ommittee

Birmingham IACgham IAC

Crown House Wolverhampton

ford R&C

Nottingham R&C

North Staffordshire Town Committee


8/12

The average age of the

Civil servant is now 51,

however there is a large

chunk of members in their

early twenties based in

areas such as Contact

Centres and Processing. This

is expanding into E&C areas

in HMRC purely due to the

Tax Justice Campaign that

PCS has undertaken. As we

are the future of the PCS

then its of the utmost

importance that we can

shape our own future and

that can only be done with a

vibrant, member led union

such as PCS.

PCS Young Members

organise in the Midlands

and although currently few

in number this is beginning

to change as the depth of

the crisis facing us is

becoming apparent.

I appeal to allyoung members to get

active in their Branches

and for all those who are

currently non-members

to join us as young

people our place is in the

union we have a world

to win!

First I would like to congratulate the Midlands Region for

organising such a successful delegation to the Britain

Needs a Pay Rise TUC demonstration on Saturday 18th

October. PCS town and city committees worked with the

regional office to ensure that coaches were put on frommost areas in the Midlands. The demonstration saw tens

of thousands of trade unionists, service users and students

taking part to say, after years of pay freezes, enough is

enough.

Secondly , I read with interest recent articles in the

mainstream press about DWP matters and the style of

management.

It seems many people are disheartened about the

attacks public servants face across all departments but

also the cold hearted spitefulness of this government. I

therefore congratulate the Benefits Justice campaigns like

DPAC and ILF service users who have worked with us tocampaign against what the government is doing.

We have to turn this mood into actionBy signing

everyone up to DD to defeat the governments attempt to

undermine our voice in the workplace by ending check-off.

But also by making sure that we have reps in every

workplace and our mapping is fully up to date. We have to

be ready to take on the challenges ahead.

Photo:Andrew

Aitchison

Tens of thousands march for pay rise

Young membersthe future of our

public services and

our union

Laura Bee, Midlands Young Members

Laura with her colleagues on the picket line

Sian Ruddick, Chair of Midlands PCS


9/12

At least 350 people attended a

counter protest against the English

Defence League (EDL) in Birmingham

on the 11th October. The protest was

called and supported by Roger Godsiff,

MP, Jack Dromy MP around 50 local

councillors, Salma Yaqoob, Carl Chin

and General Secretaries including

Mark Serwotka and Dave Prentis.

This paved the way to the

support of local mosques and faith

groups who find themselves under

increasing pressure in an escalating

climate of racism and islamphobia

resulting from a pull to the right from

mainstream parties and the media in

response to UKIP, Rotherham and the

drive to war with ISIS in Iraq.

The statement said:

We, the undersigned, condemn the

decision by the English Defence League

(EDL) to come to Birmingham on Saturday

11th October. We believe it is a cynical

attempt by the EDL to use the appalling

crime of child sexual exploitation in

Rotherham to further its own selfish ends.

We support and seek justice for all victimsof sexual exploitation regardless of their

social or ethnic background.

We condemn and seek prosecution

of all those responsible for these crimes

irrespective of their ethnicity or creed. We

reject the attempt by the EDL to whip up

racism and division in our city by trying to

turn communities against each other

without a care for the damage it leaves in

its wake. We also reject the attempt by

the EDL to use the crime of child sexual

exploitation to demonise one community.

It is important to emphasise that the

victims and perpetrators of child sexualexploitation come from all communities.

The recent Independent Inquiry into Child

Sex Exploitation in Rotherham by Professor

Alexis Jay OBE makes the very important

point that:

As has been stated many times before,

there is no simple link between race and

child sex exploitation. (Pg 91)

PCS and GMB union played a

key role in questioning the police

decision to allow the EDL to drink in a

bar on Broad Street for 2 hours before

their rally, offering representation to

staff and calling on the bar to close.

Protestors successfully

negotiated with the police to ensure

that there was a broad and inclusive

protest and the rally was attended and

addressed by a cross section of the

citys diverse community including

LGBT activists, black students,

Disabled People Against the Cuts,

Palestine Solidarity and Stop the War

as well as trade unions.

Birmingham Unite Against Fascism sees racist EDL

Message of thanks from Birmingham

UAF to PCS Midlands : A big thank

you to PCS union in supporting theUnite Against Fascism demonstration

today. We will be joining you on

October the 18th in London for the

national demonstration and support

your strike. Solidarity

The red bus donated to mining

communities in Wales. Paid for by

Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners

(LGSM) the largest single collecting

group for the Dulais Valley.

Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism addresses the counterprotest

PRIDE: 30 years on the story of howLesbian and Gays Supported the

Miners continues to inspire us today

Carl Bowkett, Branch Learning

Officer DWP South

I attended the special pre-screening

offered to trade unionists with some

colleagues from work. The film is

about the principles of solidarity and

support across communities. It high-

lights the importance of the wider

labour movement and tells the story

of how 'Lesbian and Gays Support the

Miners' raised funds and brought

solidarity to a Welsh pit village during

the National Miners strike in 1984.

This is a richly enjoyable film about

equality, gay rights and solidarity that

allowed for a reflection upon social

change.

Solidarity changed the LGBT

community and the pit villagesforeverit showed how prejudice

and ignorance can melt away. Their

actions led the National Union of

Miners to support LGBT rights being

enshrined in the TUC and Labour

Party, which has led to the legal

changes that we see today in law for

the benefit of society.

PCS regional office and local

campaigners gave advice and

information to audience members

about LGBT union groups and local

talks about the film. I would

encourage everyone to see it.


10/12

We are asking all members to make a voluntary donation of 2 a monthto support

striking memberswhose action could exert significant pressure on the government toenter into national negotiations over the key issues in our dispute:

| Pay | Pensions | Jobs | Terms and conditions | Privatisation

Geoff DexterRegional learning Organiser

The PCS Midlands Region

has just successfully

organised a series of

courses this term.

A new reps course provided a comprehensive

induction to the union and the role of workplace

representatives. Participants included new reps from DVSA,

Ofqual, DWP, Insolvency Service, MOJ, MOD, Natural

Environment Research Council, Highways agency and

Cofeley in the Commercial Sector.

The last new reps course in the Midlands was equally

diverse and I believe this is tribute to the organising

approach in the Midlands. The last two intakes of reps have

been instrumental in maximising our impact in our recentcampaigns and action as well as being a result of them.

PCS Midlands also initiated a one day organising

course in Telford with Commercial Sector Reps in

Capgemini where members are concerned about the

change of contracts in 2017, and the Defence Sector Group,

where members are facing privatisation. This included a

robust exercise around understanding TUPE, effective

campaigning and resulted in each branch developing an

organising plan. We believe this was a big success and

demonstrates how you can use the Regional Office as a

resource in taking the initiative and encouraging activists to

be proactive in our national campaigning priorities.

With reps from DVSA, VOA, Ofqual, Gambling

commission, ACAS, Home office, CSA, R&C and DWP, our 5

day representing members course was also a big success.

We accommodate reps on our courses with real case

studies relevant to their employers but by studying

together participants are able to gain from the best

experiences and practice across our union. We now

incorporate a visit to tribunal as well as negotiation skills as

part of this course.

I am also very pleased that we were also able to

support this course for the DWP group for the first time and

reps benefited from the experience of Sian Ruddick,

(regional lay tutor and DWP GEC member) co-tutoring with

a local TUC college. This resulted in excellent feedback.

Please keep in regular contact with me to keep up

with the latest training opportunities. 0121 643 4342

Forthcoming course in the Midlands

PCS ORGANISING2nd and 3rd DECEMBER

A key course for all reps and officers to keep up to date

with the national organising strategy of PCS union. With11 reps already registered you can be assured that it will

go ahead and will be a valuable shared experience.


11/12


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pcs union midlands regional newsline autumn 2014

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