Defend those who defend you

To: All Members 

Date:  3 August 2012

DWP/MB/036/12

The government has launched an attack on your union by announcing plans to cut facilities for your PCS rep. PCS members now have a chance to tell the government about the vital role trade unions play in civil service workplaces and the benefits of supporting trade union representatives to carry out their duties.

In their day-to-day work local union representatives undertake many types of tasks for members. Local PCS reps negotiate with employers, represent members and deal with health and safety issues, and staff skills and training. They present the views and ideas of the staff to their management to improve working conditions and workplace performance. The TUC estimates this dedicated time for union work, known as facility time, saves employers in the private and public sectors £701 million annually.

Without adequate facility time it is very difficult to provide the level of support that members expect and deserve, or to enable members’ views to be fed into the union’s democratic process.

Go to www.pcs.org.uk for full details.     

The government believes that paid time off for union reps is waste of taxpayers’ money but PCS wants the government to fully consider the benefits that facility time brings to workplaces and employers, as well as to trade union members and representatives themselves. Your participation can help us get this message across.

Please tell the government how current facility time agreements support the vital work that trade unions do in the civil service and the difficulties that would arise for employees and management if these arrangements are ended.

You may even have a positive story to tell about how your trade union has helped you personally or made a difference in your workplace? What would have happened if your local representatives had not been able to take the time to help you?

Branches and individual members should send your views about the government’s proposals to cut time and facilities for your local PCS rep to Francis Maude at: facilitytimeconsultation@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk by 5 September. Or by post to: CS Workforce Reform Team
Cabinet office, 4th Floor – Red Zone – Bank 20, 1 Horseguards Road
London SW1A 2HQ

Please send a copy of your response to consultation@pcs.org.uk

Fran Heathcote

DWP Group President