PCS: Double inflation pay deal for IT workers after strike threat

Friday, 16 September 2011 3:14 PM

A major pay deal which means an 11% increase for the lowest paid has been agreed for private sector IT staff on government contracts after the threat of strike action by the Public and Commercial Services union.

This rise, more than twice the rate of inflation, is part of a deal agreed by the union after Fujitsu doubled the amount of money in the pot with an extra £500,000 (GBP).

It will mean some workers who were paid just £13,500 (GBP) two years ago will now not be paid less than £15,500 (GBP), an increase of almost 15%.

The union's 720 members working on contracts across the UK for DVLA, HM Revenue and Customs, Home Office, Ministry of Defence and Office of National Statistics, were planning a co-ordinated strike with colleagues from the Unite union on Monday 19 September.

The Unite action, over separate issues, will go ahead and PCS members have pledged their support by: writing to Fujitsu calling on them to resolve the dispute; sending a message of support to Unite; sending a PCS delegation to Unite picket lines on the day; and doing workplace collections for Unite's hardship fund.

Prior to the strike vote, Fujitsu was refusing to increase a pay offer that would have meant rises of between just 1.5% and 2.5%. The main points of the new deal are:

The lowest paid will receive a basic 11% increase, and everyone on £20,000 (GBP) or less will receive more than 2.5%.
Pay awards will be backdated, plus £500 (GBP) compensation for those whose pay date was before 1 August, including those without a contractual pay date. Pay dates will be standardised to 1 August for all.
All staff below 85% of the median for their grade will be moved up to this level to help narrow the pay gap.
A structured progression system for staff at the two sites where the majority of low paid staff are based.
Further discussions scheduled for December about pay progression and transparency across the contracts.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "This is a major deal for these private sector workers, particularly the lowest paid, who do essential work supporting our public services.

"This shows clearly what can be achieved when working people stand together, and that the private sector is far from a no-go area for unions like ours.

"While we have called off our strike, we send solidarity and support to members in Unite and call on the company to sit down with their representatives to resolve the issues."

ENDS

Notes

- For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216

- The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has around 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK's sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich - on Twitter @janicegodrich

- Follow PCS on Twitter @pcs_union 

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