The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has criticised the UK’s exam watchdog over its poor business planning and industrial relations during relocation plans along with an ongoing pay dispute.
PCS members are angry with management at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) over a proposed move from London to Coventry, and for using cash set aside for a pay increase to make up a shortfall in bonus payments.
The union claimed the QCA failed to produce a business plan to justify the risk and cost of relocating, or carry out a race impact assessment of the move, as required by law.
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PCS national officer Dean Rogers told Personnel Today that workers were concerned about limited communication regarding the move, and were alarmed by the lack of progress on a pay deal. “QCA’s failure to produce and publish a business case [for the move], or do impact assessments, could prove disastrous for the organisation if the sums don’t add up,” he said.
But a QCA spokesman said there had been extensive consultation with staff, and that plans had been approved by the Treasury and the Office of Government Commerce. He said: “QCA is committed to retaining as many staff as possible during the move to the West Midlands and ensuring a fair deal for those staff who do not relocate.”
