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The FCTU England Committee is one of the FCTU's six area teams and is responsible for leading on the FCTU's work in England. On this page:
> Facing Up To Further Change
> Period of Reflection
> Cambridge Office Closure
Facing Up To Further Change
9th November 2009
On 6th November, Allan MacKenzie issued this letter on future changes and implications for FC staff, particularly in Engand.
National Office - Period of Reflection
The 2nd Period of Reflection meeting was held on 23rd September. This focussed on those staff who have been identified as falling under the potential of compulsory redundancy (essentially non mobile staff and those whose roll is coming to an end with the closure of the Cambridge office). There were a total of 11 staff considered at the initial meeting with 7 being identified as acquiescing to the redundancy option. This left 4 staff members who wished to be re-deployed within the FC or wider civil service.
At the 2nd PoR meeting, management confirmed that a further member had agreed to acquiesce and 1 member had secured another role within the wider civil service. The meeting therefore focussed on identifying actions to support the remaining 2 staff seeking redeployment. This included discussing potential options with other civil service employers and the identifying support available from HR.
Key points included:
1. The collective concerns over the proposed changes / consultation to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. If this is introduced anyone departing after March 2011 could potentially end up on the new terms. The aim is that anyone departing before this time would depart on the existing terms (we are awaiting formal confirmation). It is also important to note that the CCSU are considering a Judicial Review on the changes if they are imposed as detailed in the consultation.
2. Management attempted to refuse to consider those staff who fall under the mobile category as forming part of the PoR process. The FCTU argued that the mobility clause could be challenged and that management are using this as a mechanism to reduce the redundancy terms of individuals from compulsory to voluntary early severance. The Cabinet Office stated that it is normal to try and consider all staff involved in the closure although the PoR meeting was not their to address the specifics of how the mobility clause is being implemented.
3. The FCTU welcomed and supported the proactive approach to seeking effective redeployment. This was particularly important given the redundancy notice date of the 24 November 2009. The FCTU also highlighted the need to secure the terms of those wishing leave through redundancy.
Again if you have any specific questions please feel free to contact us to discuss them directly.
National Office - Period of Reflection
The Period of Reflection Meeting with the Cabinet Office was held on 30th July and involved the following attendees:
John Whittaker - Cabinet Office
Jean Lindsay - FC HR Director
Sarah England - England HR Business Partner
Charlie Cochrane - TUS Council for Civil Service Union Representative
Allan Mackenzie - FCTU Secretary
Stuart Grainger - PCS Representative
Crispin Thorn - Prospect Representative
The meeting focussed on those individuals who are being considered for compulsory redundancy as a result of the closure of the Cambridge Office. The majority of these staff are non-mobile grades with a small number of mobile grades whose roles are either directly related to the Cambridge office or have been significantly changed as a result of the proposed move.
In terms of numbers, 12 staff have been identified as being considered for compulsory redundancy 8 of whom have suggested they would wish to accept the 'offer' and are therefore regarded as having acquiesced to the process. The FCTU, Management and the Cabinet office agreed that if an individual is content to acquiesce then there was no need for further discussion on these cases. The meeting therefore focussed on the remaining 4 individuals who have requested redeployment in the Cambridge area.
The majority of the discussion focussed on how to help support the redeployment process with the clear indication from the Cabinet Office that should be seen as a priority and HR should be working with other Departments to identify redeployment options.
Other key discussion items included:
1. The subject of mobility with Jean Lindsay stating that the FC has retained it's mobility status for staff at PB5 above. The FCTU responded stating that it would consider the impact of mobility from an individual members perspective and that the basic premise centred around whether an employer was acting 'reasonably'.
2. The potential impact of any changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme which is currently being considered for review by the Cabinet office. There were no specific details available at this stage but it was clear that changes could have a potential impact depending on what is finally proposed and the timetable for implementation.
3. The time pressures associated with seeking to resolve the redeployment options before the deadline associated with issuing redundancy notices to those who do not wish to acquiesce.
4. The FCTU raised the issue of the remaining members not covered by the compulsory redundancy situation but still impacted on through the closure of the Cambridge Office.
The group have agreed to meet again in mid September to discuss progress with redeployment and the implications for any those who had not secured redeployment at this stage.
We hope you find the feedback useful and appreciate that we are unable to go into the specifics of the discussions due to their sensitive nature. If you do have any specific questions please feel free to contact us to discuss them directly.
National Office Arrangements
12th Jan 2009
Over the last few weeks we have made some steady progress working with FCE managers to try and agree the terms and conditions for the closure of the Cambridge and Keynsham offices and the relocation of the posts to Bristol.
On 2nd December we met with Sarah England, John Scotney and Ian Lamb as the inaugural meeting of the Future National Office Arrangements Joint TU Working Group. The full minutes of the meeting are now available - minutes of 021208 - though the two main topics of discussion were the list of posts affected by the closures and agreeing the various options and terms and conditions that will apply to staff going forward. A fuller report to staff on both of these issues was contained in a subsequent note from the working group that was issued to all staff on 9th December: note to staff. Since then there has been one further exchange of correspondence in the form of an offer note from FCE managers regarding their position on mobility and redundancy terms and our subsequent reply sent earlier today.
Next week we are pleased that all of the Cambridge based staff will be given the opportunity to take part in a two-day visit to Bristol to see the new office and find out more about the Bristol area. This is an important and welcome step in helping staff to make an informed choice on their future options. The next meeting of the working group will be held in London on the 22nd January when we are hopful that we can reach agreement on the list of affected posts and the terms and conditions that will apply to staff, and then to begin to look at a preference exercise to enable staff to express a first view on the options open to them.
We are grateful to all those members who have attended the local meetings in Cambridge and offered their thoughts on the process so far.
29th Nov 2008
Following the announcement of the closure of the Cambridge Office, Edward Shephard, Tim Gill and colleagues from the England Area Committee will be meeting with England managers on Tuesday 2nd December to discuss the implications of the closure and how we can best protect the interests of staff. Further information will be posted after the meeting.
Notes to staff issued by FCE managers: 18/11/08 | 27/11/08.
7th Nov 2008
Staff at the Cambridge Office have reacted with stunned astonishment at the news that the office will close by May 2010 - briefing paper from FCE Managers.
The Cambridge Office is home for about 30 permanent staff and has been under threat of closure for some time once the lease on the current building expires in May 2010. Staff had previously been given an assurance that the FC would maintain its presence in Cambridge for at least another five years. However following a breakdown in negotiations with the landlord, senior managers have now announced that the move will be brought forward and all posts currently based in Cambridge will be relocated to the newly expanded Bristol Office by no later than May 2010.
The move clearly has major implications for all staff, many of whom may be unable or unwilling to relocate several hundred miles. A meeting of local union members has already been held at which staff expressed their shock and dismay (Notes of the Meeting). At the England Staff Council meeting held in London on 7th Nov, Paul Hill-Tout was challenged to over the sudden u-turn and he explained that the decision had been taken by the England National Committee in order to form a single National Office for England. We have agreed that a joint working group of management and FCTU reps will be formed to consider the urgent implications for all of the local staff.