Civil servants lobby parliament

3 March 2010
Around 100 representatives of PCS, from across the UK will be descending on Parliament today to lobby MPs over cuts to the redundancy terms for civil and public servants.

The lobby and rally come as a quarter of a million civil and public servants gear up for a 48 hour stoppage on 8 and 9 March over the unilateral changes, which will see staff robbed of up to a third of their entitlements and see loyal civil and public servants lose tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of their job.
Political pressure is mounting over the forced changes, with over 150 MPs and former ministers signing an early day motion (EDM) urging the government to re-examine the ‘disappointing and unfair proposals’.
A pre-lobby rally, chaired by PCS president, Janice Godrich with John McDonnell MP, David Drew MP and Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary starts at 1.30pm in committee room 18 of the House of Commons. PCS representatives will then start lobbying their MPs from 2.30pm.
Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "It is disgraceful that the government has denied MPs a vote on these changes which are aimed at cutting jobs on the cheap. Instead the government has relied on an arcane parliamentary procedure to avoid any debate, discussion or vote to change the law.
"It is clear that political pressure is growing with MPs and former ministers signing an early day motion that urges the government to re-examine the ‘disappointing and unfair proposals’.
Over 150 MPs recognise that the government should be protecting those who have given loyal service over a number of years rather than slashing their redundancy entitlements and cutting their jobs on the cheap
"Over 150 MPs recognise that the government should be protecting those who have given loyal service over a number of years rather than slashing their redundancy entitlements and cutting their jobs on the cheap. The government needs to pay heed to growing opposition from MPs and reach a negotiated settlement."