By a civil servant

Civil Service members of the PCS are currently being balloted on a job security agreement struck with the Civil Service. This agreement, called the protocols, is the result of a long running agitation by the Union over job security. So should members vote in favour of it. We think yes but the Union should be clear as to its limitations and weaknesses.

The original union campaign was for a no compulsory guarantee; the protocols falls short of delivering that demand. The no compulsory guarantee would not have saved jobs; it just would have guaranteed that the jobs run down (which still continues) was achieved without overt compulsion. This agreement means that departments should consider offering an alternative job to those faced with compulsory redundancy (this is in ACAS guidance any way).

The protocols places certain other obligations on Government departments but these are not enforceable by law; neither is there a specific dispu tes resolution mechanisms put in place to handle problems. Therefore on the enforcement side it is weak; the Union will have to vigorously police it as there have already been many violations of it terms.

In many ways the protocols is more interesting for what it says of the PCS leadership. Of course there is the normal PCS spin on the deal; though compared to past “agreements” it has been relatively restrained. Then there is the ballot itself. The Union agreed the deal earlier in the year and it came into effect in April yet members are voting on a “done” deal in August. The ballot is in fact designed to head off criticisms of the agreement (yes you lefties complain but the members have voted for it!).

At the end of one Union circular it states (para phrasing) that we have an agreement over pensions – job done, now we have one over jobs – job done, now to pay. This ticking of the boxes is very prevalent attitude of the leadership; prevalent and very wrong. Pensions are not settled; the Tories will re open that can of worms if they get into office; the jobs rundown continues; the protocols does nothing to fundamental address this prob lem. Members should vote for the agreement but the Union must still continue to fight for a proper jobs agreement. The protocols must not be the end of matters.