Steve Ion, Liverpool Socialist Party, spoke to strikers on the picket line
PCS members at pensions administrator MyCSP began six weeks of strike action on 7 July (see ‘PCS fights for recognition at civil service pensions administrator’ at socialistparty.org.uk). The campaign is for full trade union recognition and involves members in Liverpool and Cheadle Hulme.
MYCSP currently administers 1.7 million civil service pension scheme members. PCS members carry out a range of roles including pension administration, telephone staff, team leaders and senior managers. MYCSP has refused to recognise the union.
The workers are demanding the right to negotiate better terms and conditions as they TUPE transfer to Capita, which has won the contract from MyCSP.
Pressure is being brought to bear to achieve negotiation rights and bring the work back in-house.
Disgracefully, managers are encouraging staff, typically younger and less experienced workers, to work an additional 12 hours a week – 49 hours a week in total – to support service delivery, all for a £50 ‘thank you’ bonus!
Strikers described how new employers Capita have said they are prepared to sit down and talk to the union at a meeting at the beginning of August to discuss recognition from day one of the transfer. The reps will now apply to the union’s National Disputes Committee for an extension to their six weeks strike action, to give the possibility of continuing strikes until an agreement is made and they are recognised.
The numbers on the picket line in Liverpool and Cheadle are solid! Pickets are confident of success and if it is achieved this will be testament to their determination.
The camaraderie on the picket line continues to grow. This will only strengthen the solidarity and the support for the union now and for the future.
- Solidarity and messages of support to laura@pcs.org.uk
