STRIKE SUSPENDEDA strike by our members across DWP and Defra shared services has been suspended after we negotiated protections for staff.The following has been provided by PCS HQ:The staff working in HR, procurement and finance face having their jobs transferred on Friday (1 November) to Shared Service Centre Limited (SSCL), in which the government retains … Continue reading Shared Services Strike suspended after protections negotiated

The government is planning to privatise shared services staff in DWP, Defra, and the Environment Agency to private company Steria on the 1st of November 2013.PCS is asking all members who work in Shared Services in the DWP and Defra to take one day strike action on Friday 25th of October and for those who … Continue reading Shared Services Strike – 25th October 2013

Blackburn v Aldi Stores Ltd, EAT 29.7.13 (0185/12)IDS - 30 Sep 2013The EAT remits a case to a tribunal to determine whether an employer’s failure to provide a different manager to hear a grievance appeal breached the implied term of trust and confidence, with the result that the employee was unfairly constructively dismissed. Read more … Continue reading Failure to provide proper appeal may breach trust and confidence

Halliday v Creation Consumer Finance Ltd, Court of Appeal, 2013 EWCA Civ 333IDS - 30 Sep 2013.The Court of Appeal awards compensation for distress to an individual as a result of a finance company’s failure to process his data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. The Court sets compensation at £750, taking into … Continue reading Compensation awarded for distress caused by data protection breach

The following details have been supplied by PCS DWP Group:Personal Independence Payment - UpdatePersonal Independence Payment replaces Disability Living Allowance over a phased introduction scheduled to be completed by 2017. It is designed to reduce the existing DLA expenditure by 20%.The Departmental Trade Union Side has been meeting the PIP Programme and PIP Operations management … Continue reading

PCS has today (18 Oct) served notices to DWP, DEFRA and civil service head Sir Bob Kerslake informing them of strike action called for Friday 25 October.Our members working in shared services for DWP and DEFRA are taking the action to protect jobs and services and to safeguard the personal data of thousands of their … Continue reading Shared services members in DWP and DEFRA to strike next week

In May, Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) passed motion A93 setting out PCS’ programme of work around green issues for the coming year.This includes: “To work with the TUC, other unions and campaigning organisations in order to implement the 2012 TUC Congress motion on shale gas extraction (“fracking”), incineration plants and the creation of climate jobs.”As … Continue reading Global Frackdown Day

To all members of PCS Fylde Central Benefits and Services Branch in DWP Shared Services.Dear ColleaguesThe purpose of this post is to advise members that meetings to discuss the future of Shared Services have been arranged at extremely short notice.Times are as follows; There are two meetings please try and attend one of them:Friday 18th … Continue reading SHARED SERVIVES – MEMBERS’ INFORMATION MEETINGS – URGENT

<!--[if !mso]>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> The purpose of this post is to provide feedback from a meeting on 9th October 2013 with Senior BD Management. Question a: Recent announcement on 25th September 2013 We asked about the recent announcement about Telephony and if they had any particular feedback as we had several items below that we … Continue reading Report from a Meeting with Senior Benefit Delivery Management

<!--[if !mso]>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> The following has been supplied by PCS DWP Group:PCSdefends procedural fairnessDWP Discipline Policy, Procedure and Advice have been revised following consultation but not agreement with the Departmental Trade Union Side (DTUS). The revised procedure is effective from 14th October 2013. Changes have been introduced to align DWP procedure with Civil Service … Continue reading DWP Discipline Procedure changes to align with CSEP from 14 October 2013