Branch Secretary Report

Branch Secretary Phil Mount reviews the year since the last AGM for PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch.

It goes without saying (once again) the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated another year for our reps and members. A year that might also be remembered without fondness for the government imposed pay freeze only adding to the stresses of hardworking members battling the rising cost of living.

It has been a relatively stable year for your Branch Executive Committee (BEC) with only 2 resignations since the 2021 AGM and 2 co-options of new Representatives in that time. We therefore go into the 2022 AGM in a good position both in terms of existing experience and the opportunity to fill all branch positions.

I would like to thank the whole BEC for their hard work and dedication throughout another challenging year. The trend of holding disciplinary hearings and meeting management online has continued through 2021 and we hope to retain some of the benefits of that in the year ahead even as we start to become used to higher office attendance. Throughout the pandemic our reps have attended in person hearings to support our members where this has been deemed more suitable.

I would also like to take the chance in this report to encourage all of you to get involved in your branch in whatever way you can to ensure that we can continue to build and deliver for our members. If you think you might be interested click here to find out more about each role and if you have questions please email us. I am happy to arrange a call with any member interested in becoming a PCS rep, advocate or health & safety rep.

PCS Conferences

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and following the cancellation of the 2020 conference for the same reason, both the PCS Annual Delegate Conference and the Home Office Group conference were held online for the first time in 2021. All of the delegates from the branch attended the conference in their own time playing an important role both in presenting and contributing to the motions for debate.

Other than a few technical difficulties for the Branch President, the virtual conferences went well. Delegates found voting easier and our delegates all contributed and gave excellent speeches.

Motion A10 which was put forward by our branch based on experiences from our members applying for flexible working and being unfairly denied has taken on a new significance now given the recent introduction of home and hybrid working as flexible working policies. As the Branch reps have done throughout the pandemic we will support members in applying under these policies and with appeals. As a DBS branch colleague who seconded our motion said, its almost as if the Home Office is just doing its legal obligation by offering the opportunity to apply (for flexible working) but doesn’t actually allow its employees to have the benefits, like a restaurant offering gluten free/vegan options and then when someone orders saying “oh no sorry we don’t have it”. We will work to ensure that where home working, hybrid working and other flexible working options are possible our members will not be unreasonably denied and that the flexibility is a two way thing.

Merseyside Branch motions A5 and A7 were also passed at Home Office Group conference, both seeking changes to the attendance management policy and procedure. The reluctance of the department to engage with PCS Home Office Group Personnel leads or have any discussions to progress this has been one of most disappointing features of the last year. After initially being told officially, unsatisfactorily, that the Home Office did not have any intention of reviewing the policies PCS were forced to raise this with both the Chief People Officer and then the Permanent Secretary before finally getting a agreement that they will now engage with PCS on a review of the attendance management policy. Both motions A5 and A7 will help shape our demands as part of that consultation. At this point we have been given no assurance of a timescale for this review.

Personal Cases

Once again we have had a year of new challenges when it has come to the personal cases we have handled for members. This work represents a lot of the time we spend undertaking our Trade Union duties although often goes unseen by the overall membership.

The numbers this year have continued the trend of the previous year of being significantly reduced totalling 140, way down from the 296 the branch handled in 2019 after several year on year increases. Cases have varied from small issues to major grievances and Employment Tribunals.

This figure does not, however, include a sharp increase in members contacting our general inbox with queries around their rights and Home Office policies and procedures, particularly around the pandemic, many of which I have responded to myself and which have not required representation. 2022 is likely to be another year of change as more members begin returning to workplaces and this dynamic between office attendance and requirements for personal case support may swing once again.

As ever, the Branch continues to challenge management when trends arise and we will be looking to make improvements for members in 2022.

Notable increases during 2021 are in Border Force from the 1 case in 2020. This also coincides with a new Branch Rep joining the Branch Executive Committee from Seaforth Docks. Nationality has also increased after a drop last year jumping from 7 to 17.

It is encouraging that the number of members requiring representation has dropped in comparison to last year. The Branch has once again excelled in this area getting results for members saving jobs and livelihoods. Without PCS the results would have been very different. This shows the value of being a member.

If you are a PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch member and need assistance click here for guidance on how to contact us.

Looking Ahead

2023 might look very different from how we start 2022. As the department starts to roll out its top of the shop reorganisation under the “Home Office Blue Print” including greater alignment between UKVI and HMPO (which have for some time shared the same DG) we also see a continuing transition from European Casework to Visit Visa work in Liverpool and Asylum Casework continues to recruit and grow in the two Merseyside sites to get to grips with attrition, backlogs and the Home Secretary’s “New Plan For Immigration”.

It appears that the Home Office has lost many staff on transfers to other Government Departments during 2021. Not unsurprising given the more attractive basic salaries on offer in departments such as HMRC. Early indications are that 2022 will see continued recruitment with seemingly all areas continuing to grow and move away from the reliance on casual employment and Fixed Term Contracts. Our Branch have recently developed plans to begin running monthly PCS inductions for new employees to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to join PCS at the earliest opportunity and will begin circulating details shortly.

The Branch President has already covered pay and the pay ballot so I won’t go over it again other than to say I found it really vexing that in a year where our pay has been frozen and the cost of living rises will have impacted many members, recent communications to staff have revealed that the department is not even using it’s new appraisals system to reward members resulting in millions currently lying unspent and will be lost come April. PCS has long set out and reiterated our stance on bonuses and I am not about to start advocating for more divisive bonuses to be paid but the folly of the situation is plain to see. An equal share of the reward pot to all staff might be considered a step towards fair recognition for the work we do! Please ensure you take part in the forthcoming pay ballot so we can send the strongest possible message that Home Office Employees won’t settle any longer for the year on year cuts to our pay.

My main message, in closing, is that the Branch is in a strong position with a good mix of experienced and developing Reps. If you can get involved in any way, please do so. You will be making a difference. Also encourage the people around you to Join PCS and take part in the Pay Ballot. The more members we have the stronger we are.

Here is hoping for a good year in 2022 for all members.

Phil Mount (Branch Secretary)