Veterans Agency

National Branch
Chair: Andy Boylan Secretary: Ian Melvin Organiser: Rachel Wallace-Dand
Room 6117 Room 6117 Room 8102B
Tomlinson House Tomlinson House Block 8
Govt. Buildings Govt. Buildings Govt. Buildings
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Thornton Cleveleys Thornton Cleveleys Thornton Cleveleys
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To all members of the PCS Veterans Agency National Branch

January 2010
Dear Colleagues

CIVIL SERVICE COMPENSATION SCHEME CAMPAIGN

The Civil Service (particularly the Department for Work and Pensions) is one of (if not the)
largest employers on the Fylde Coast, however recent Ministerial figures indicate that there are
now circa 5,000 DWP staff on the Fylde Coast. There used to be thousands more.
Job Cuts in the Fylde and the attacks on the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

In the Department for Work and Pensions it has been established that over two thousand one
hundred jobs have already been cut on the Fylde. Once the worst of the bankers created
recession is over then there could be attempts at a purge on Civil Service jobs.

Following from the recent unilateral attempt to impose changes to civil servants’ redundancy
terms, it is clear that the government are preparing to cut more jobs on the cheap. The
published proposals have not been agreed with the PCS.

The proposals include the following attacks:

" Slashed. The amount of compensation paid if you are made compulsory redundant.

" Chopped. The amount of money that may be offered on any exit scheme (including
compulsory redundancy on voluntary basis)

" Axed. All the enhancements to any early retirement schemes that may be offered in the
future will be axed.

Cutting the compensation makes it cheaper to get rid of people.

Membership support for the Campaign

The reaction of members to the Government’s proposals was tested in a series of workplace
meetings held in September and October 2009. Over 35,000 members came to 1000 meetings
making it the largest such exercise the union has carried out. The overwhelming majority made
it very clear that they supported the union’s objectives to protect members’ existing
entitlements. More than 80% said that they would support campaigning action if negotiations do
not produce the result we need.
The views of members were also made clear in the responses to the Government’s
consultation. 18,000 comments were sent to the Cabinet Office, the overwhelming majority of
which clearly opposed the proposed cuts to the scheme. This was a marvellous response which
communicated effectively the depth of feeling on the issue to the employer.

Legal action

The National Executive Committee has agreed to instigate a judicial review to halt the process
by which the Government seems intent of removing members’ accrued rights under the CSCS.

Lobbying of MPs

115 MPs have signed up to an early day motion on the CSCS. Over 100 signatures for an EDM
on an industrial issue is a tremendous level of support. This reflects effective lobbying by many
members in constituencies, and MPs’ increased receptiveness to that in the run-up to a General
Election.

Further negotiations

Previously the Government has announced that it has come to its ‘final decision’ on the matter.
Nevertheless, the Cabinet Office has now agreed to meet the unions to discuss the proposals.
The unions have agreed to further discussions in order to make one last effort at finding a way
forward without the need for legal or other campaigning action. At the time of writing, however,
there was no indication that progress at the meeting towards addressing our substantive
concerns is imminent.

Conclusion:

In 2010 there will be a General Election and the Branch will be contacting the candidates to ask
where they all stand on all the above issues and will provide assistance to members who may
also wish to ask the candidates about such matters.

The Branch will ensure that we play our full role in the Campaigning Action that may be needed.
Further details will be issued in due course.

Yours sincerely

Rachel Wallace-Dand
Branch Organiser