20th March was extremely well supported in the Wigan, Leigh jobcentre was closed and most sites were only opened by a hardcore of non-members or those refusing to stand by their fellow workers.
At 1pm, members should be united in walking out together - in the same week that our pension contributions increase when our pay has been held back, we need to show the government that we are not willing to take these attacks.
Many members have queries about how the walkout will work. Half day strikes used to be common but have not been utilised on a national level recently. Half day walkouts were used very successfully in Merseyside jobcentres recently which helped the members make real gains in their dispute. Here's some frequently asked questions that we hope will help:
5 April national industrial half day strike action: Q&A guidance
When to strike and pay deductions
Q 1: When should I strike?
Strike action starts at 1.00 pm (or 1.30pm) and finishes at 4.42 pm (or 5pm) on Friday 5 April for all members involved - except HMRC members (see below).
It is important that you take strike action in the way PCS has told the employer that you will. This is so that you are protected by being part of official industrial action which complies with the legal requirements.
The notice says that everyone will be called out for ½ a day strike on 5th April.
For most members this will be a strike from 1pm to 4.42pm on 5th April
In the unlikely event that management withdrawal of flexi arrangements or impose fixed hours which means that people are forced to work until 5pm – then the strike will be from 1.30pm till 5pm for those members.
The minority of members on other work patterns will be asked to strike for the final 3 hours 42 minutes of their shift or rota.
Q 2: What should I do if I'm in the middle of an interview in person or on the phone when the strike starts?
We recommend that you politely terminate the interview or phone call by saying that you have been called by your union to take part in official industrial action which has just began, then leave (without further explanation or discussion). The strike action is legal and the employer has been duly informed and therefore you are protected in a similar manner to any other strike action.
Q3 What strike action should I take if I am on shift work?
The purpose of the action is to collectively walk out with you colleagues at 1.00 pm and this should be the action that by far the majority of members should be aiming to take. If however you are genuinely a shift worker and your normal shift on 5th April is due to end after 4.42pm then you should begin strike action 3 hours and 42 minutes before the end of your shift.
Q4 What if my shift crosses over from the 5th into the 6th April.
If your shift falls in such a way as it means that taking the 3hrs 42 minutes strike action called would fall into the 6th April then PCS is not calling you out on strike. The notice is only for strike
action on Friday 5th April so if your shift crosses over into the 6th April you should not take strike action
Q 5: I'm not due to work on Friday afternoon -- can I take part?
Don't strike if you're not due to be at work between 1.00 pm and 4.42 pm
No, unless you are due to be on duty that afternoon at those times you should not take part in this particular industrial action. This is just one part of a rolling program of industrial action and is designed to try to ensure an equality of sacrifice so although on this occasion you are not being called on to strike there will be other opportunities if the Government refuses to talk to PCS
There are other ways you can support the campaign. See the PCS website for more information.
Q 6: I'm a nightshift worker, due to begin work at 5 pm. How can I support the strike?
You should not take part in the strike action if your shift crosses into 6th April. If you are due to end your shift during 5th April then you should strike for the last 3hrs 42min
Q 7: When should I take my lunch break?
You should take your lunch break in the usual way -- either when you are told to take it (if that is usual in your workplace) or when or how you generally choose to take it.
There might be specific guidance on this relevant to your group.
Q 8: Can I use flexitime working to reduce the amount of pay that is deducted? For example if I start at 7.00 am then I would have done more than half the day before the strike begins at 1.00 pm. Will this mean that my pay will be deducted less?
No, this is very unlikely, and flexitime cannot usually be used to minimise pay deductions.
PCS expect that most employers will deduct half a day's pay calculated in the usual manner they operate on a full days strike.
Q 9: Will my employer suspend flexitime for the day?
We don't know whether this might happen. If it does and staff are forced to work until a set time later than the 4.42pm (5pm in the example above) then people will be asked to strike from 1.30pm to 5pm. PCS centrally or the Group will issue further guidance should it be required, To suspend flexitime and impose conditioned hours or fixed hours will be very complex for the employer and PCS does not expect this to happen in many departments so most members should be out on strike between 1pm and 4.42pm on 5th April.
Q 10: I work flexitime, and would usually have finished before 4.42 pm on Friday. Do I have to return to work?
No. If you are not usually expected to be back at work, then you would not need to return.
Q 11: I am on flexitime. Should I start work at a time that ensures I only do a half day before the 1.00 pm strike?
The purpose of the request for 3hrs 42 minutes is to ensure equality of sacrifice but given this is rolling action this may vary slightly on the margins. PCS recommends that you work half a day in the morning calculated as 3hrs 42 minutes and strike from 1pm to 4.42.
Q 12: I work full-time. How much pay will be deducted for the Friday afternoon strike?
We expect that most employers will deduct half a day's pay calculated in the usual manner they operate on a full days strike.
Q 13: I work part-time, and I am due to work only on Friday afternoon during a period that falls within the strike period (1.00 pm to 4.42 pm). How should I take part in the strike, and how much of my pay will be deducted?
You should take part in the strike by not working during the strike period, 1.00 pm to 4.42 pm on the 5th April. This is an ongoing rolling series of action so although this time you are being called out on Friday afternoon it is unlikely that this will be repeated and should strikes be called when you are not working then you will not be required to participate.
Q 14: I work part-time, and I am due to finish work at 2 pm on Friday afternoon. How should I take part in the strike, and how much of my pay will be deducted?
You should begin your strike at 1.00 pm. The deduction of pay should be calculated as in the question above.
Q 15: Can I be sacked for going on strike?
It would automatically be unfair dismissal if you are sacked for going on strike in a properly organised and legal dispute during the first 12 weeks of the strike.
Q 16: I am an agency worker. How can I support the strike?
You would not be able to go on strike because you have a different employer. There are other ways you can support the campaign. See the PCS website for details
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