Members have raised questions with the Branch on specific points. We have raised these with PCS DWP Group and have received answers, the details are published below:

Question 1:
“We are aware of the position regarding the pay rise element/ pay progression element for those who have a must improve and are
undergoing poor performance action.

However if they opt in and the floor (the minimum) catches them up, can they receive less than the minimum or will they just be caught up by the minimum and stay at the minimum (if they get further must improve and are undergoing poor performance action) until the minimum collides with the maximum to form the spot rate (min-max)”.

Answer 1:
“If you are not eligible for a consolidated pay rise due to poor performance your salary will remain the same even if this means you are overtaken by the min.”

Question 2:
“Do we have a date by which PCS HQ must have the membership form for the new member to vote in the ballot?”

Answer 2:
“Hard copy ballot papers will take 7 days to process. Online applications will take 3 days. Ballot starts on 6th June and runs till 22nd June 2016. Allowing 7 days for second class post this means that the last day for online applications would be around 12th June and then 8th June2016 for hard copies. But it is not an exact science.”

Question 3:
“One of the questions that has come up is about the people who are not on FWH and have never been offered FWH.

There are a raft of people who work in the former call centres who have never been offered FWH. They are mentioned in the BD FWH agreement, in terms of it not applying to them but that something would be negotiated for them. Nothing has been to date.

If they opt in for the employee deal will they have to be offered the new FWH arrangements in the way that all the existing staff on FWH will be having new FWH arrangements?”

Answer 3:
“Yes though the option of fixing hours should remain. The details of FWH arrangements have not been settled and will be subject to directorate level discussions with TUS.

New FWH arrangements will be negotiated in each Directorate and that the arrangements for their Directorate will apply to them”