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
FCTU Brand - Standing Out From a Crowd 11th August 2010
When the FC introduced its new branding policy the FCTU took this as a chance to revitalise its own image and, to come up with a brighter and fresher look...
Business Units Review Forum UPDATED 30th July 2010
The first meeting of the Forestry Business Units Review Forum was held yesterday in Silvan House. A briefing note can be found here.
Business Units Review UPDATED 6th July 2010
In the set of briefing notes provided to the constituent unions about the FBU review meeting held on the 1st July, it was pointed out that the next stage would be to look at the implementation process.
Implementation will take place in two stages...
FCTU Campaign - It's Time... 6th July 2010
Many of you will be aware of the enormous media frenzy that is being directed at those of us who work in the Civil Service and the public sector, where the UK’s financial problems have become something we are responsible for.
It’s time for the Forestry Commission Trade Unions to campaign to protect our jobs, our standards of living, and our future pensions.
Please see this letter from Allan MacKenzie, FCTU Departmental Secretary.
Civil Service Compensation Scheme - Cabinet Office Announcement UPDATED 6th July 2010
Staff will have seen the letter from Director HR sent out today, outlining that the Government wants to "bring redundancy payments made to civil servants in line with best practice in the wider public and private sector" and change the law to cut civil service redundancy terms...
Business Units Review UPDATED 1st July 2010
Today the FCTU sat down with FC Management to discuss the Jarah report and the potential next steps resulting from the report’s findings...
Civil Service Pay Freeze 23rd June 2010
HR have confirmed via this letter to all staff that Departments in legally binding multi-year deals will be allowed to conclude those deals before implementing the pay freeze. This means that the Forestry Commission will pay the 3rd year of our 3-year deal this October.
Civil Service Compensation Scheme - Judicial Review Successful UPDATED 18th June 2010
Mr Justice Sales confirmed today that PCS was right to challenge the way the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, that governs redundancy payments, were slashed...
Management of Trade Union Reps 11th June 2010
The Forestry Commission endorses the recently revised FCTU guide to the Management of Trade Union Reps. The booklet gives managers valuable information and guidance in how to work with Representatives to make sure that their dual work roles are correctly balanced...
Civil Service Compensation Scheme - Quashing Order UPDATED 26th May 2010
The judge will determine the terms of the quashing order, following the successful outcome of the legal challenge, on 9 June...
Lyme Disease - A Cautionary Tale 21st May 2010
Do ticks find you palatable?
Civil Service Compensation Scheme - Judical Review UPDATED 10th May 2010
Following the two-day judicial review hearing in the High Court in April, it was ruled today that the previous Government acted unlawfully when it introduced, without PCS’s agreement, a new redundancy scheme reducing the rights staff had accrued over time...
Business Units Review UPDATED 5th May 2010
On 8th April Bruce Hamilton and Alistair Gillies from FCTU Business Units met with the consultant, Paul Jarah to discuss the review...
Sick Note to Fit Note 6th April 2010
Across the UK, doctors will be using the new fit note system to advise that their patient is either unfit for work, or may be fit for work...
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...
Business Units Review 5th March 2010
Following the announcement that a review of Business Units will be carried out, FCTU BU have issued a letter to members, detailing the questions that will be put forward to Director FBU.
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...