Save Shared Services from Private Sector Greed

Dear Shared Services Members

You should all be now aware of the looming privatisation to descend on us from the announcements today.  We will be meeting with the national union to begin to start a anti privatisation campaign for Share Services. More information to will come out later.  Please see below branch motion we submitted to the GEC. 

Motion to GEC

Future of DWP Shared Services

Notable recent developments within Shared Services include the transfer of the strategic management of DWP Shared Services to Cabinet Office and the publication of the Next Generation Shared Services Strategic Plan. Of particular note:

• There is no detailed model for Independent Shared Services Centre 2 (ISSC2), which will subsume the DWP SSC, though the strategic plan states that there will be a review of “the options for commercial vehicles”.

• The plan shows the procurement process for ISSC2 will start in April 2013.

• The timeline also shows that a “Private Sector Entity” will go live in April 2014.

• Regardless of the lack of a detailed model therefore, the references to commercial procurement for ISSC2 confirm intentions for private sector involvement.

• ISSC1 is in the process of being formed by the privatisation of the DfT SSC. This will include the transfer of staff to the new operator.

• A campaign is underway in DfT to retain that SSC in the public sector.

• Shared Services staff in DfT have encountered difficulties in transferring out of the centre pending privatisation. 

The experience of the DfT demonstrates the government’s determination to push ahead with transformation of Shared Services in the civil service, and in the case of ISSC1 and 2 the willingness to do whatever it takes to effect what it sees as a successful transfer to the private sector.  

So far, we have seen little indication of a meaningful campaign to protect the jobs of those working in DWP Shared Services, and this branch sees this as a failure to effectively support the 1300 or so people who are facing privatisation within the next 12 months. The approach appears to be to await information about the status of the new organisation, though this means being presented with a decision that is finalised, rather than attempting to influence that decision whilst it is being made. 

The lack of comprehensive information should not be used as an excuse to do nothing when the direction of travel is clear. We believe a campaign is already overdue, and the GEC should not wait for detailed plans to be published or talks to begin, but start campaigning now to oppose private sector involvement in DWP Shared Services. 

This should include:

1.     A prime objective of keeping the service in the public sector. This could be within the DWP or as a stand-alone body, but staff must remain civil servants with terms and conditions as good as, or better than, those currently enjoyed in DWP.

2.     A rejection of commercial delivery of any part of Shared Services, not just the service as a whole.

3.     A programme of communications with staff to ensure they are kept fully informed of events and the risks private sector involvement brings.

4.     Consultation with staff – similar to that in DfT – to confirm the desire to remain civil servants. This would send a powerful message to Cabinet Office.

5.     Working across Groups – although staff in what will be ISSC2 are currently in DWP, transformation is a cross-government initiative, and the centre delivers, and will continue to deliver, services across a number of Departments. This should not be seen as an exclusively DWP campaign.

6.     Raising the profile of the issues facing Shared Services and increasing awareness across Groups.

7.     As in the DfT, measures to oppose privatisation should include industrial action where necessary.

   

PCS DWP HQ Branch

21 March 2013