Redundancy consultations show disdain for public servants

Redundancy consultations show disdain for public servants, says Prospect

Prospect will condemn consultations on reforming public sector redundancy schemes as showing disdain for workers in an emergency motion to trade union delegates in Scotland tomorrow (Wednesday).



The specialists’ union will tell the annual STUC congress, meeting in Dundee, that the process undermines and unpicks agreements reached in 2010 for the civil service and wider public sector.

“The agreement reached by some unions in the civil service after long and difficult negotiations was expected to endure,” the motion reads.

“Indeed it was described by Francis Maude, the minister involved, as ‘fair, affordable and sustainable’.”

It says that by revisiting agreements reached less than six years ago, the willingness of government to undertake meaningful negotiations with unions must be in doubt.

The motion adds: “Further attempts to weaken the severance terms shows disdain for staff already concerned that their jobs are at risk. Existing arrangements have served the staff and organisations well.

“Government figures indicate that where headcount reductions have taken place, these have largely been achieved through voluntary exits as opposed to compulsory redundancies. The consultation proposals will change this balance.”

The motion will urge the STUC to lobby UK and Scottish governments on the issue, making it clear that imposition would be unacceptable.

Spending watchdog the NAO has reported that existing arrangements have already saved the Exchequer 40% on redundancy payments.

Separate consultations on reforming public sector exit payments and the Civil Service Compensation Scheme close on May 3 and 4 respectively. The motion questions the validity of the exercise, saying that it is unprecedented for such overlapping and interrelated consultations to run in parallel.

For further information contact:
Alan Denney
0131 558 5288 (w)
07713 511702 (m)
[email protected]
 
Graham Stewart
020 7902 6605 (w)
07525 403185 (m)
[email protected]