No Minister!
Union challenge on pay dispute
A war of words has broken out between a top government minister and a union which represents thousands of Lancashire staff who work for him.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell has said that a long-running pay dispute between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has been "settled."
But the head of the regional branch of the union has said that it intends to ballot its members for further strike action over pay and conditions in the coming months.
Cabinet minister Mr Purnell, speaking on a visit to Preston last week, said that "controlling public sector pay" was a key objective of the government.
He said: "People who work for the DWP do a fantastic job and we value each and every one of them which is why I believe the issue of pay has now been settled.
"We need to make sure we value these people but make sure that the issue of public sector pay is also kept under control."
The Stalybridge and Hyde MP discussed welfare reforms and possible changes to local government at the event hosted by business group Downtown Preston in Business at the Holiday Inn Preston last week.
His remarks drew a stinging rebuke from PCS regional organiser Paula Wood who insisted that the dispute was continuing over the offer.
She said: "A below inflation pay rise is no use to anyone and if Mr Purnell is so in awe of the services which civil servants provide, perhaps he should value them at least to the extent of an above-inflation pay rise.
"There are elements of our on-going dispute with the government which have been settled surrounding avoidance of redundancies but the issue of pay continues."
Most of the DWP staff in Preston are based at the national headquarters of the Carers Allowance Unit at Palatine House, Lancaster Road, which has 723 staff.
DWP staff also work in administration roles at Edward VII House on Navigation Way and Cop Lane in Penwortham.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 15 C
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Wind direction: North west
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