Public and Commercial Services Union
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MPs urged to throw out attempt to cut civil service redundancy pay

PCS is urging MPs to throw out a government bill that would severely cut the terms available to civil servants who lose their jobs.

As part of the ongoing campaign against the coalition government’s plans to impose stringent caps on payments under the civil service compensation scheme, the union’s members have been asking their MPs to participate in the debate when the superannuation bill has its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday.

More than 130 MPs - including almost a quarter of all Liberal Democrat MPs - have signed a parliamentary motion encouraging the new government to seek a negotiated settlement after the union’s successful High Court challenge to the previous government’s plans to cut redundancy terms.

The union is pleased that Labour MPs are being urged to support an amendment that would strike out the bill on the basis that the government has not properly consulted staff and the unions, and the plans do nothing to protect to the lowest paid.

PCS reps will hold a demonstration opposite the St Stephen’s entrance to parliament between 12pm and 2pm on Tuesday.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This bill is deeply unfair and was introduced without any consultation or negotiation. It is being rushed through simply to make it easier and cheaper for the government to make tens of thousands of its own workforce redundant.

“We believe the bill should be abandoned and proper negotiations opened to allow us to reach a fair settlement that protects existing members’ rights, as upheld by the High Court.”

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