PCS: Strike ballot over second class English heritage pay

Tuesday, 23 June 2009 12:00 AM

A strike ballot involving over 400 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) working across 100 heritage sites including Stonehenge, Hadrian's Wall and Dover Castle started today in a dispute over new pay proposals that divides staff into two classes and will lead to cuts in pay.

The proposals by English Heritage will lead to a two tier workforce and see support staff and workers in visitor operations forced to take drastic cuts in their pay. Under the plans, English Heritage is seeking to introduce two types of pay ranges called standard and premium. Those on the premium pay range in posts deemed 'hard to recruit and retain' will receive 10% more than those on the standard pay range in visitor operations.

Branding the plans as divisive and grossly unfair, the union also expressed anger over a move towards regional pay which could drive down the pay of those on the lowest salaries.

Visitor operations are English Heritage's main source of revenue and the public face of the organisation. In addition to attracting income through on site shops, membership sales, events and entry charges, staff also conduct tours, assist with the conservation and maintenance of sites and take part in education programmes for children and adults.

Starting salaries in English Heritage are as little as £12,700 with the majority of staff affected by the plans working on part year contracts or reduced hours. Under the proposals many staff will find it is financially impossible to do the job that they are deeply committed to.

Catherine Craig, PCS negotiations officer for English Heritage, said, "English Heritage is already recognised as a poor payer. Rather than raise pay rates to acceptable and fair levels across the board, the visitor operations staff are being asked to foot the bill for better pay rates for others. This is demoralising to hardworking staff who are being made to feel second class despite them having delivered a first class service."

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, added: "These proposals are unfair and divisive and will drive down already pitiful levels of pay. Far from earning vast sums, the custodians of England's heritage like others in civil and public services have had to endure low pay and pay cuts in real terms. English heritage need to recognise the valuable role that staff play by stepping back from introducing a two tier pay system."

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information, interviews and comment please contact Alex Flynn PCS national press officer on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216.

PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union is the union representing civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 325,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies. It also represents workers 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.

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