The followinghas been supplied by PCS DWP Group.

PCS is still in talks with DWP to get you a decent pay rise and it is good news that more money has been made available for grades AA to HEO.

PCS Protecting you rights at work
It is true however that DWP also wants to discuss increased flexibility, and changes to members’ contracts, in exchange for improved pay. PCS would obviously prefer a pay rise without any changes to terms and conditions. But DWP have, from the start, made it clear that that is not an option. The flexibility on pay that has been agreed with Treasury is for members in the grades AA to HEO and is dependent on changes to members’ terms and conditions. PCS is therefore using these ongoing negotiations to do all it can to defend and protect your terms and conditions, maximising safeguards for members, while also ensuring that you get the best possible pay rise.

Do not agree any changes to your contract
We need to avoid managers ‘jumping the gun’ and asking staff to meet them for one to ones before the talks have concluded. They are saying that this is just to find out how flexible staff can be. But PCS is clear. Nothing can change before negotiations finish. When the negotiations do end, then every PCS member will be fully consulted and will have their say in an individual, secret ballot. When the talks conclude, PCS will be holding meetings with all of our members to talk through what is involved with both the additional pay and the proposed contractual changes.

PCS members will be consulted and have a vote on the final offer

Whilst managers are entitled to hold one to ones with staff at any time, DWP management have made clear that these one to ones should not be happening now, in advance of the negotiations ending. PCS advice is clear. Do not agree to any changes until you have been consulted and balloted by your union. All PCS members will be consulted and balloted by the union on the pay offer. Non-union members will not be balloted and will therefore have no say on the pay offer.