PCS: Members give massive endorsement to job security agreement

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Tuesday, 02, Sep 2008 12:00

Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have massively endorsed a national agreement over job security and privatisation, the union announced today.

97.5% taking part in the ballot voted to endorse a major national agreement with the government over job security and privatisation in the civil service and related bodies, which strengthens the protection of staff from compulsory redundancy.

The agreement follows a vigorous campaign by the union and its members standing together.

Members supported the agreement with the Cabinet Office which sets out in detail measures to ensure staff who are declared surplus, but who wish to continue to work in the civil service or associated areas, will be made an alternative job offer.

Whilst the union remains implacably opposed to privatisation and outsourcing, the agreement also covers national guidance on good practice for dealing with staff where their functions are outsourced or privatised.

Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “This agreement demonstrates what can be achieved by PCS members standing and campaigning together and builds on our previous success in protecting public sector pensions. The priority now is to step up our campaigning against the government’s policy of below inflation pay which is driving down the wages of some of the lowest paid in the public sector. Following this agreement the government needs to review its policy towards public sector and enter into meaningful dialogue with trade unions.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

* For further information, interviews and comment please contact Alex Flynn national press officer on 020 7801 2820 or 07833 978216.

* PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union is the union representing civil and public servants in central government. It has over 300,000 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.

Alex Flynn

National Press Officer

Public and Commercial Services Union

160 Falcon Rd

London SW11 2LN

Direct line: 020 7801 2747

Mobile: 07833 978 216

Fax: 020 7924 1847

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