Forestry Commission Trade Unions - www.fctu.org.uk
Forestry Commission Trade Unions
Welcome to the website of the Forestry Commission Trade Unions (FCTU). This website is designed to provide news and information to Forestry Commission staff who are members of either the PCS, Unite, Prospect or GMB trade unions (About Us). We are regularly adding new content—so if you have any comments on the site or suggestions for improvements then please do get in touch.
Latest News
New Retirement Policy & Procedure UPDATED 5th March 2010
Following on from the last update on the Mandatory Retirement Age, the new Retirement Policy & Procedure have now been released...
PCS Ballot - Civil Service Compensation Scheme UPDATED 26th February 2010
A majority of members voting in the national ballot have voted in favour of strike action by 63.4% to 36.6%, and in favour of action short of a strike by 81.4% to 18.6%. Please see the members briefing and PCS website for more information.
Retirement of Andy Phillips 17th February 2010
After 47 years service, Andy intends to retire from the Forestry Commission at the end of February. After starting in Somerset and then having a spell in Scotland, Andy moved to north Wales where...
Civil Service Compensation Scheme UPDATED 3rd February 2010
Agreement has been reached between the Cabinet Office, FDA, Prospect, POA, GMB and Unite. FC staff will today have received the letter from HR, a joint statement from 5 of the Civil Service Unions and letter from Sir Gus O'Donnell to all Civil Servants.
PCS continue to oppose the proposals...
Partnership Agreement 26th January 2010
Following discussions between the FCTU and HR, the Partnership Agreement has been revised and modernised. The latest version is available here.
Civil Service Compensation Scheme UPDATED 19th January 2010
As you will no doubt be aware by now the unions have had further talks with Cabinet Office to see if a resolution to the proposed changes can be found. Unfortunately, no such solution has been forthcoming...
Mandatory Retirement Age UPDATED 18th January 2010
Following the announcement from Sir Gus O’Donnell that there will no longer be any mandatory retirement age for Senior Civil Servants as from March 2010, the FCTU have been in discussions with HR to consider the work required to remove the mandatory retirement age for staff...
FCE Head Office Peebles– Relocation Working Group UPDATED 11th January 2010
In October 2009, a working group consisting of the following members was set up to carry out a consultation between management the Trade Unions on the above proposed relocation...
Staff Survey UPDATED 18th December 2009
The overall staff survey report has now been published. The survey was undertaken by 61% of staff...
Civil Service Pensions and the Pre-Budget Report 11th December 2009
Today you will have received a letter from our HR Director outlining what the Chancellor said and meant about Civil Service Pensions...
Civil Service Compensation Scheme UPDATED 10th December 2009
PCS are to launch legal action and hold a strike ballot...
Pre-Budget Report 10th December 2009
Chancellor Alistair Darling delivered the Pre-Budget Report 2009 (PBR) on 9th December. This outlines how the government plans to halve the level of public borrowing while continuing to invest in the frontline public services that people rely on. We have summarised the highlights from the PBR and it's potential implications for members...
Childcare Vouchers UPDATED 8th December 2009
Further to our note on 18th November, we are pleased to report that the Government has backed down from removing the tax relief given to parents receiving childcare vouchers. Full details available here.
Operational Efficiency Programme UPDATED 8th December 2009
The OEP Asset Portfolio released on 7th December shows how the Public Forest Estate in England could be dealt with as part of the OEP. The FCTU have asked for further clarification on certain aspects such as leasing and Special Purpose Vehicles...
Civil Service Compensation Scheme UPDATED 7th December 2009
Following the accouncement on 4th December, The Forestry Commission HR Department have issued a letter to all staff on further changes to the CSCS...
Civil Service Compensation Scheme 26th November 2009
- We are calling on members to write to their MPs to oppose the proposed changes to the scheme. Please read this letter for advice on writing to your MP.
- Allan MacKenzie has issued a letter to all staff in response to many members voicing their concerns on the lack of clarity on what is happening with the proposals.
- PCS have issued a campaign update to members. Please follow to link for the latest news.
Saving Childcare Vouchers 18th November 2009
The Government has announced plans to phase out childcare vouchers from April 2011, in favour of providing 10 hours a week of free childcare for some 2 year olds in England...
Facing Up To Further Change 9th November 2009
On 6th November, Allan MacKenzie issued this letter on future changes and implications for FC England staff.
Departmental Staff Council UPDATED 29th October 2009
The annual Departmental Staff Council will be held on 4th November in Silvan House, at which the FCTU and management will be discussing a range of issues...
Mandatory Retirement Age UPDATED 9th October 2009
Sir Gus O’Donnell has announced that all departments and agencies are to introduce a policy of no mandatory retirement age (below the Senior Civil Service) by March 2010. The FCTU are discussions with HR and are considering the work required to remove the mandatory retirement age...
Swine Flu UPDATED 9th October 2009
The FCTU have approached HR to ask if they planned to suspend sick leave trigger notifications should someone be infected with swine flu...
Cambridge Office Closure - Period of Reflection UPDATED 9th October 2009
The 2nd PoR meeting with the Cabinet Office was held on 23rd September...
FCTU England's Response to the PFE Study Consultation UPDATED 1st October 2009
Our response to the consultation was submitted on 25th September. This can be viewed here. Please see the PFE Study page for more information.
Harmonisation of Leave Years UPDATED 14th September 2009
At present, 3 different Leave Years are in operation within the FC, ie April to March, November to October and December to November.
At the time of Staff Unification (the project in 2000 which brought together the terms and conditions of the two groups of staff), the Steering Group considered harmonising the 3 Leave Years, but decided not to proceed with that as there were concerns that having all staff on the same leave year might lead to large numbers of staff wishing to take leave towards the end of the leave year, ie all at the same time. The FCTU recently asked HR to look at this issue...
Staff Survey UPDATED 14th September 2009
As you will know, the staff survey is accessible for the whole of September and in the first week of October. The FC are looking to gather as many opinions and thoughts from staff as possible as this is an invaluable tool which will highlight what staff believe the organisation is doing well and where improvements are needed...
Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS)
We would like to hear your comments on the proposed changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. Please email unions@forestry.gsi.gov.uk and we will post your comments on the CSCS page.
Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) UPDATED 24th August 2009
We are closely monitoring the action being taken by the Civil Service Unions and would ask that you respond to the consultation being undertaken. However it is worth bearing in mind that this is an outright attack on our terms and conditions and is not the best deal that was being offered. These proposals will leave many of our members thousands of pounds worse off in the event of voluntary or compulsory redundancy...
Cambridge Office Closure - Period of Reflection UPDATED 18th August 2009
The Period of Reflection Meeting with the Cabinet Office was held on 30th July...
Public Forest Estate Study and Operational Efficiency Programme (OEP) 17th August 2009
To see how the FCTU are involved in the PFE Study and OEP, please visit the England section of the site.
Changes to Overtime Arrangements UPDATED 10th August 2009
The FCTU raised concerns that as part of the imposed 3 year pay award, changes were made to overtime rules involving harmonistation of the multipliers and a change to the calculation of the hourly rate used to pay overtime...