Withdraw civil service pay guidance or face legal action, FDA warns

18 Jul 2018 03:13 PM

The FDA yesterday, alongside PCS and Prospect, instructed our lawyers to write to the Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington to request that the Government withdraws the civil service pay guidance and undertakes a process of appropriate consultation. 

Given the headlong rush of some employers to impose the cap on civil service pay set out in the pay guidance, we have given ministers until 4pm on Thursday 19 July to respond. In the absence of an appropriate response we will be issuing proceedings for Judicial Review. 

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman, PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka and Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy have issued a joint statement, which can be viewed here. 

Commenting on the possibility of Judicial Review, FDA General Secretary Dave Penman said: 

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. The involvement of the courts in industrial relations practice is usually a sign of failure, that is certainly the case here. 

“We have tried every reasonable approach to engage with ministers sensibly but have been rebuffed at every turn. 

“They must now recognise that they have one last chance to do what every progressive employer should: engage those that represent their staff in a meaningful way for mutual benefit. If not, we remain ready and willing to act.”

Notes for editors

  1. The FDA is the union for senior managers and professionals in public service, representing more than 18,000 members at grades HEO and above. Membership includes senior civil servants, government policy advisors, prosecutors, diplomats, tax professionals, economists, solicitors and other professionals working across the Government and the NHS. 
  2. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union". 
  3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union. General Secretary Dave Penman tweets as @FDAGenSec. 
  4. For more information contact FDA Communications Officer Tommy Newell on 020 7401 5588 or 07738 729 145. 
  5. The joint statement from FDA General Secretary Dave Penman, PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka and Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy can be viewed here.