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PCS FYLDE BRANCH

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Mick and Grant’s Valentine’s Quiz – the results Mick and Grant back with the results from out Valentine’s quiz. .

Here are the answers.

Answer 1

Dickie Valentine released Christmas Alphabet in 1955.

Answer 2

Johnny Valentine and Greg Valentine both were involved in wrestling..

Answer 3

Alfred Valentine’s performance in the 1950 West Indian tour of England is celebrated in the Victory Calypso

Answer 4

Valentine’s Brook is at Aintree

Answer 5

According to tradition women can propose on 29th February

Answer 6

Valentine ’s Day in 2020 was on a Friday

The winner who received a box of chocolates was Stephen O’Mally from St Annes. Well Done

Kerrang Kerry’s Music Mayhem II Quiz – the results Kerrang Kerry back with more music mayhem, this time it is the answers to my quiz. My new band Polygon are really kicking it dude, although some people have mentioned it, we aren’t a Slipknot tribute

Here are the answers from last time. Answer 1

Judas Priest were “Unleashed in the East”

Answer 2

Biff Byford was the lead singer of Saxon

Answer 3

Bruce Bruce was the lead singer of Samson. Bruce Bruce was also Bruce Dickinson

Answer 4

Dio was the lead singer of Rainbow on the Album “Rising”

Answer 5

Whitesnake is one of David Coverdale’s bands. Answer 6

Paul Di’Anno was the original lead singer of Iron Maiden

The winner who received a mystery prize was Jill Grimshaw from Warbreck Well done, Kerrang Kerry

Some employers will try to avoid the issue of bullying altogether – as if by refusing to recognise that there is any problem it will go away.

This is not the case and, as shown above, there are a variety of legal duties on employers that mean that they have to address the issues, at least to discover whether there is a problem and to check whether any existing control mechanisms are effective.

Groups and Branches are ideally placed to negotiate and campaign to tackle the problem in the workplace.

By ensuring that the issue is given a high profile within the workplace, you can ensure that it is more difficult for the employer to ignore the issues and members will be encouraged to report incidents, knowing that they will be supported.

Groups and Branches could consider the following actions:

you could carry out a survey, on your own or jointly with management, to assess the extent of any problem. The HSE’s Stress Management Tools include sections on relationships at work, which incorporates bullying indicators and, being an independently developed survey and analysis tool, it is difficult for employers to claim bias in the survey. There is also a survey tool on the Andrea Adams Trust website;

organise meetings so that members can raise the issue – or include a discussion at a general meeting. National Ban Bullying at Work Day (7th November, in 2007) provides a good focus for this work;

raise awareness among members about the problem of bullying, by using PCS and TUC material;

organise training for reps in your area or ask your region or group to do so; or encourage PCS reps to attend the Unionlearn courses on Tackling bullying, organised through the TUC;

check the policies and procedures your employer has in place. Check them against best practice guidance and negotiate new procedures if necessary

Please send your answers to Jacqui Dunkerley, Room A208R Warbreck (or e-mail Jacqui Dunkerley - details in the GAL) to arrive no later than 27th Mar 2020

The winner will receive a mystery prize.

Please remember that Branch Executive Committee members cannot enter/ win the quizzes

Beam me up Scotty! Garry

Question 1

In what year did David Tennant first appear as Dr Who Was it?

A) 1975 B) 1985 C) 1995 D) 2005 E) 2015

Question 2

What was the first name of “Tyler”, who was the David Tennant’s first companion? Was it?

A) Snowdrop B) Petal C) Poppy D) Blossom E) Rose

Question 3

In the “Rise of the Cybermen”, which character did Roger Lloyd-Pack play, was it John?

A) Lumen B) Lemon C) Landau D) Lumic E) Lune

Question 4

Which “singer” played Astrid Peth in the 2007 Christmas Special

A) Kylie Minogue B) Adele C) Rita Ora D) Lulu E) Billie Piper

Question 5

Which James Bond actor played Time Lord President in “The End of Time”? Was it?

A) Pierce Brosnan B) Sean Connery C) Roger Moore D) Timothy Dalton E) George Lazenby

Question 3

What incarnation of the Dr was David Tennant? Was it?

A) 9th B) 10th C) 11th D) 12th E) 13th

Jacqui’s Dr Who Quiz Jacqui here another quiz about Dr Who. This time it is my turn, not sure that the Jody Whittaker “do” suits me. Garry defo was the double of David Tennant in his younger days and Alistair was the double of Peter Capaldi!

On the other hand, my colleague Mick has been upgraded.

Personally, I really liked the David Tennant Dr Who, so my quiz harks back to

those days. Here are the questions:

1 A voice

Winning better terms and conditions at work is best done collectively, and being in PCS gives you a voice. Research shows unionised workplaces enjoy better pay and conditions.

2 Advice and support

Our union is there for you at work when you need it – reps can refer to our full-time officers and legal team for advice, if necessary.

3 Legal and financial advice

Access to our free, confidential legal helpline covers many personal matters for your family. Free financial consultation and free debt advice are also available.

4 Free will-making service

One free will for you and your partner saves money in legal fees. Members can also nominate someone to receive a death benefit payment of £1,663.

5 Insurance deals

A wide range of free or discounted insurance deals are available, including home, vehicle, travel, pet, health and accident cover.

6 Chance to learn

Training, learning and professional development opportunities are available, including life-long learning – such as GCSE English and Maths – or trade union education.

7 Networking opportunities

Being in a union gives you the chance to meet colleagues from your workplace and others. It’s an opportunity to get involved in a movement that truly impacts on people’s daily lives.

8 Political influence

The PCS Political Fund allows us to campaign politically on decisions being made that affect our members. PCS also has a parliamentary group of MPs to help us lobby on vital issues.

9 Financial support

We set aside money every year to help members facing severe financial hardship, which can be applied for through our benevolent fund.

10 Discounts

Members get exclusive deals on a whole host of things, including shopping, and leisure activities like hotel stays, holidays and days out.

Not a member? Register to join online today.

10 Benefits of PCS Membership

VIKKI’S GREEN PIECE

The situation regarding Coronavirus is fast moving and departmental advice is changing on a daily, sometimes hourly basis.

For the latest DWP Departmental information call 0800 783 6617

We will endeavour to keep our social media updated with the latest union news

https://www.facebook.com/pcsfylde

https://www.facebook.com/pcsnorthwest/

https://www.pcs.org.uk/

https://twitter.com/PCS_Northwest

CoronaVirus

Friday 27th March - It's Time to Put Your Thinking Caps On!

Wear A Hat Day is one of the UK’s biggest and most important brain tumour research fundraising and awareness-raising days and this year we're going big on digital!

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is proving a great challenge for us all, however, Brain Tumour Research is here to help our wonderful community of supporters across the UK this year in taking part at school, in your home or online!

There are many ways to hold your event digitally with your family, friends, colleagues, or school on Friday 27th March. You can have all the fun of Wear A Hat Day through your screens and on social media!

We encourage everyone to consider holding or joining an event virtually on Facebook, Skype , WhatsApp, Instagram, Facetime or work video calling systems like Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts.

Your support will help us get closer to a cure for brain tumours.

Sign up for your free digital fundraising pack

2020

DWP Fylde Branch

Proudly Present:

The 2020 Branch Mandating Meeting

Date: Wednesday 13th May 2020.

Venue: The Warbreck Canteen.

Time: 3.00PM

(The meeting is to mandate the Branch Delegates to PCS DWP Group and National Conferences)

For further details contact:

Mick Daniels

Fylde Branch Organiser

Room C112R, Warbreck House

Ext: 3186 (01253 331186)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The views expressed by our columnists do not necessarily reflect

those of the PCS Union. If you agree or disagree with any of the content of Fylde PCS News then exercise your

right of reply by emailing:

jonathan.bamborough@dwp.gov.uk

This is YOUR Newsletter

Have Your Say!

UK workers are overworked and underpaid UK employers claimed £35 billion of free labour last year because of workers doing unpaid overtime, according to a new analysis of official statistics published by the TUC.

More than 5 million people put in an average of 7.6 hours a week in unpaid overtime during 2019. On average, that’s equivalent to having £6,828 taken out of individual pay packets.

The union body was commenting on 28 February, the TUC’s 16th annual Work Your Proper Hours Day. The day marks the fact that the average person doing unpaid overtime has effectively worked the first two months of the year for free.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The government needs to crack down on Britain’s long hours culture. Too many bosses are getting away with stealing their workers’ time. But instead of strengthening protections, ministers want to use Brexit as an excuse to chuck out the limited protections we already have.” She added: “Overworking staff hurts productivity, leaves workers’ stressed and exhausted and eats into time that should be spent with family and friends. That’s why any EU trade deal needs to guarantee that employment rights, like those covered by the Working Time Directive, are protected in the future.”

Question 1

Between 1934 and 1946 what were the names of the Three Stooges? Was it?

a) Joe, Harry and Sandy

b) Wilson, Kepple and Betty

c) Moe, Larry and Curly

d) Geoffrey, George and Bungle

e) Groucho, Harpo and Chico

Question 2

According to the 1959 song, what did the Three Stooges want for Christmas. Was it a?

a) Horse

b) Pony

c) Dog

d) bag of nuts

e) hippopotamus

Question 3

The Three Stooges made a cameo appearance in which 1963 film as firemen. Was it.

a) It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

b) Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

c) Monte Carlo or Bust

d) Lawrence of Arabia

e) Bruce Dickinson

Question 4

Who played Larry in the 2012 film the Three Stooges Was it?

a) Sean Hayes

b) Sean Penn

c) Sean Bean

d) Sean Connery

e) Sean Pertwee

Question 5

What was the name of the 1960 Three Stooges compilation film?. Was it Stop, Look and?

a) Sigh

b) Dance

c) Listen

d) Laugh

e) Rock

Question 6

Moses Harry Horwitz took the professional name Moe……..? Was it Moe?

a) Jones

b) Smith

c) Walker

d) Talbot

e) Howard

Please send your answers to Jacqui Dunkerley, Room A208R Warbreck (or e-mail Jacqui Dunkerley - details in the GAL) to arrive no later than 27th Mar 2020

The winner will receive a mystery prize.

Please remember that Branch Executive Committee members cannot enter/ win the quizzes

The Three Stooges Quiz They used to call us Layton’s Answer to the Three Stooges when we were young, we were inseparable.

We used to roll around the floor laughing at the Three Stooges

Here are the questions.

Branch Annual General Meeting

The Branch Annual General took place on Thursday 27th February 2020 in the Coffee Lounge area of Warbreck Canteen.

The highlight of the meeting was the guest speaker’s (Fran Heathcote, PCS President) contribution.

The details for those who weren’t able to make the meeting were as follows:

The President stated that she would like to reflect on some of the action that has taken place following the General Election in December, as well as what was happening at DWP and National level. She indicated that since the General Election the Government had become emboldened with a large majority in Parliament and this had led to a number of unwelcomed announcements and statements.

However before she started on those points, she wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the wave of action that had taken place in the Commercial Sector area that the Union covers, mainly in former areas considered as support roles; such as cleaners, messengers and catering staff. She indicated that the action had been in BIES and other Departments, and focussed on items such as sick pay, the right to be paid on time, and union recognition. She explained that in some instances the action had been successful, in others the campaigning action continued.

The President explained that in HMRC there had been action about the location strategy and the danger to members’ jobs. She highlighted the future of the Civil Service and the statements made by the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser.

The President then turned to the Employee Deal in the DWP, and informed the meeting that we were coming towards the end of the 4 year pay deal. She highlighted the additional money had meant that there were now spot rates for the majority of members, and pay rises and pay progression for those who opted in. She highlighted in HMRC, which had been a comparator at the start of the 4 year period, there were now over 12,000 people below the living wage.

She indicated that one of the questions was “what comes next”; highlighting that the end of austerity and Public Sector pay capping had not ended in the Civil Service, where the 1% pay cap remained and any additional pay rise above the 1% had to found from within the Department’s existing budget.

She informed the meeting that initial talks had taken place with the employer however the problem was the pay cap. She reflected on the fact that the existing Departmental budgets were extremely stretched and that other Departments had no additional money so , in essence, additional increases, which may look attractive, were in fact at the detriment to terms and conditions.

The President turned to the National Pay Campaign and the ballot. She explained that it was vitally important when there was a ballot that we got across the threshold, which meant a higher degree of membership participation. She advised the meeting that it wasn’t just about pay, but also about our pensions and redundancy scheme.

She informed the meeting that the FBU had secured a victory in terms of their pensions schemes and there was a direct read across to other Public Sector pensions. She highlighted that everyone had been overpaying over 2% per month, and the Government were reluctant to pay up. She stated that the Government had said that solutions to the pensions wouldn’t be in place until 2023, however we had pointed out to the Government that they could put right the overpayment aspect over night.

Lorna Kennedy

The President indicated that we were had launched a campaign, together with the FBU, and would be taking further legal challenges to force the Government to pay up.

The President moved on to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme reminding the meeting that in 2015 the Government had tried to change the scheme without consultation and as a result the Court had found that the Government had acted unlawfully. She explained that the issue hadn’t gone away and the new Government had advised that they were going to proposed new arrangements and had advised that there would be any changes before 31st March.

She highlighted the importance of the scheme especially with the shrinking size of the Civil Service and also with the location strategy.

She explained that the Government would, no doubt, have a timescale of months for the consultation about the new scheme.

The President informed the meeting we would be going out to members about the three big issues, Pay, Pensions and the Compensation Scheme.

The President then highlighted the Estates programme in the Civil Service which was looking at having multi-Departmental occupancy of buildings. She informed the meeting that we were already looking at the potential for legal challenges in terms of equal pay for members doing similar work in the same location.

The President returned to the question of membership participation explaining that we undertook a survey of members who voted and didn’t vote. She highlighted that 18% of members who hadn’t voted said that they had forgotten to post the ballot paper.

The President said that we need to ensure that we remain relevant and campaign together, as when we do we get good results. She explained the importance of recruiting new members as the more members we have the more successful we will become.

She informed the meeting that funds had been diverted into a fighting fund to help members taking action.

She concluded by indicating that the DWP GEC are aware that many items need addressing regarding pay especially with things such as people who had opted in leapfrogging those who had opted out.

The President thanked the Branch for the invite to address the meeting.