A long-running dispute at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) looks set to be rekindled, with union members due to discuss further strike action over a controversial performance development system.
Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are to consider the possibility of industrial action at its annual conference in Brighton this week.
Eddie Spence, the union’s senior national officer, said the mood would be “angry” because of “duplicitous and incompetent management”.
PCS members in the DWP, which number about 100,000, have accused senior managers of reneging on agreements made on the performance development system after last year’s dispute.
The system compares employees’ performances to that of their colleagues. Those who are found to contribute the most are rew-arded accordingly.
Spence said there was disquiet among staff as to the way the system was being implemented locally just a few months after changes were agreed.
The DWP said that it would continue to keep the system under review, and was about to embark on another round of improvement activity.
www.personneltoday.com/indepth for a full interview with DWP HR director, Kevin White
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