Border Force Seaforth Update

Meeting with Border Force Seaforth Management

Update from PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch reps met with management on 27 January.

Management provided a general update of the ongoing work around the restructure of work at Seaforth and the communications sent to staff on this were also forwarded to branch reps as agreed.

Regional Brigade Team

With regard to the Regional Brigade team, PCS were informed that an EOI will be re-issued to staff at Seaforth giving everyone an opportunity to join this team.

Equality Impact Assessments & Rosters

PCS raised the issue of Equality Impact Assessments around the restructure. We were informed that, they will be completed as part of the process but the full assessments can’t be completed fully until the rosters are confirmed. These will be shared with PCS although at the time of the meeting no potential rosters were presented to PCS. Management confirmed that members will be informed of any proposed rosters for comments shortly and that feedback received so far mainly asked about potential roster patterns. It was agreed to include the branch in any proposed roster patterns issued to staff and agreement that staff can then give feedback and raise issues or suggested alternatives through their management chain which will then be taken forward for answers. These will then form a standalone item on our next meeting agenda.

Management confirmed there was a scheduled BFSO meeting after this meeting to start the process and an away day with the BFHOs on 9 February. Feedback from staff will then be discussed for any potential issues or alternatives to be considered. The PCS view is that it is important that staff provide views through their line management in the first instance.

PST3

It was confirmed at the meeting that everyone under the new structure will be required to complete PST3 however, BF will try to accommodate staff with reasonable adjustments when the rosters are built, including staff with alternative working patterns, as teams will need to be blended to ensure capability on each team. It was agreed that any individual members who, for whatever reason, cannot complete PST3 as part of reasonable adjustments, or have other reasonable adjustments in place, will have individual discussions with their managers in regards to this and their roles at Seaforth. If members feel that their concerns are not being addressed the branch can be contacted here.

The branch raised the issue of how the handover would work on 12hr shifts, management confirmed this would be worked on and adjusted shift times would be considered for the cross over.

The next meeting of the branch with Border Force Management will be held in February, date to be agreed. Details will be published on the branch website for requesting items for inclusion on the agenda for that meeting. Members with any individual concerns can request personal assistance through the website.