The following has been supplied by PCS HQ:Government changes mean that the high street law firms and claims companies you see advertised on TV can now take up to 25% of any damages they secure for injured people. Using union legal services means members will keep 100% of their compensation.

The following has been supplied by PCS DWP Group:To all PCS members in Shared Services.The cabinet office has announced that Steria UK is the governments chosen preferred bidder for the joint venture privatisation of Shared Services.Staff who are in scope should have received a letter to notify them and explain what this means.Management in some … Continue reading Shared Services Privatisation Latest from PCS

Attendance Allowance Unit – “It’s Appalling”Members in AAU at Warbreck will have seen their Christmas/ New Year arrangements imposed as:A daily 25% annual and flexi leave allowance to be applied for the period 23 December up to and including 31 December 2013;The 25% annual and flexi leave allowance can be increased to 33% (across the … Continue reading Latest Attacks on Conditions of Service

2013 National campaign event North west.On Sunday 29 September supporters of the NHS will join with trade unions, community groups and members of the public to protest against the government’s on-going programme of austerity.The march and rally, called by the North West TUC, will take place in Manchester to coincide with the Conservative Party Conference. … Continue reading Tory Party Conference Demo, Manchester

The following has been supplied by PCS HQ. Please note that the links will only work if you are viewing this page on the DWP intranet. Policy, procedure and advice DWP Policy, Procedure, Advice for Working Hours and Working Patterns, together with a   Guide for Managers, is published on the DWP intranet. These documents provide … Continue reading Part-time working requests and DWP Policy & Procedure

The following has been supplied by PCS HQ:The freeze on recruitment has meant that there have been very few new members of staff employed in DWP for a number of years. As a result of this there has been a big increase in the average age of the current workforce. Recent statistics revealed that 42.4% … Continue reading Partial Retirement

The following has been provided by the PCS Equality, Pay and Policy Department:Over-worked? Not enough time?Under pressure? Want your life back?Complete our online survey today!www.surveymonkey.com/s/PCS_Workloads_Work-life_Balance_SurveyAs part of major research project with Keele University PCS is conducting a major online survey of our members on:Working hoursWorkloads and their implications for work-life balanceThe anonymous survey will be … Continue reading PCS All-member Survey on hours, workloads and Work-life Balance

<!--[if !mso]>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <![endif]--> Just a brief update regarding the legal challenge against the employer’s decision to not pay members Workforce Management Redeployment Package travelling time (or TOIL), or additional family costs due to the closure of the majority of the DWP Norcross site, despite members being asked to/ having to travel beyond their reasonable … Continue reading Legal Challenge against non payment of Workforce Management Redeployment Package

The Branch has been supplied with a copy of the latest Community Learning Courses via Blackpool and the Fylde College.If you are interested in any of the courses please get in touch with our Branch Learning Coordinator Katya Lawder on ext: 67400 or email katya.lawder@dwp.gsi.gov.ukThe course list can be found here.

Introduction To encourage greater participation from black members who are under-represented in the union’s structures and activities, PCS is holding a seminar for its black members.   PCS uses black in the political context to apply to people who are Asian, African, African/Caribbean, Arabic, Chinese i.e. people from African and Asian Diaspora, including people of dual … Continue reading PCS National Black Members Seminar