PCS will fight new attack on redundancy pay

On 6 July Tory minister Francis Maude announced new legislation to attack civil service workers' redundancy pay.

John McInally, vice-president, PCS civil service union (personal capacity)

A judicial review in May, following three days of PCS strike action against the previous New Labour government's attempts to attack redundancy rights, said that any changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) would have to be agreed with the union.

In order to circumvent the May ruling the Con-Dem government has announced primary legislation. Like the previous government they are looking to cut redundancy payments in order to drive through job cuts and privatisation on the cheap.

They now say that they want to talk but, with the new legislation, they clearly want to put a gun to the head of civil service trade unions.

The new arrangements would cap voluntary redundancy payments to 15 months salary and compulsory redundancy payments to only 12 months salary.

That indicates that the government wants to drive through tens of thousands of compulsory redundancies. This is on top of cuts of up to 40% in some civil service departments.

Pensions

The new Public Service Pensions Commission will be rigged, as it is chaired by former New Labour cabinet member John Hutton.

Hutton's record as a cabinet minster shows that he hates public sector workers and trade unions.

It can be predicted that the commission will try to make public sector pensions far lower than those in the private sector.

The PCS will oppose these assaults on its members and will campaign to protect jobs, redundancy payments, pensions, terms and conditions, including industrial action where necessary.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.