Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have overwhelmingly endorsed a national agreement on job security and privatisation.
More than 97% of members taking part in the ballot gave the thumbs up to the agreement with the government on job security and privatisation in the Civil Service and related bodies, which strengthens the protection of staff from compulsory redundancy.
The PCS has more than 315,000 members in 200 departments and agencies. The deal signed with the Cabinet Office sets out detailed measures to ensure staff who are declared surplus, but who wish to continue to work in the Civil Service, will be made an alternative job offer.
The agreement also covers national guidance on good practice for dealing with staff where their functions are outsourced or privatised.
Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “This agreement demonstrates what can be achieved by PCS members standing and campaigning together and builds on our previous success in protecting public sector pensions.
“The priority now is to step up our campaigning against the government’s policy of below inflation pay which is driving down the wages of some of the lowest paid in the public sector.”
