Celebrate Black History - October 2019

• 9 October 2019
• The Brain Charity, Norton Street, L3 8LR.

This is an open day to all members and reps to celebrate and learn about black history and to see examples of what you might be able to run in your workplace! The day will include: 

• Why black members should get more involved in our union - a video presentation by Ian Manborde, Equality Office for Equity and former Ruskin Lecturer.
• A talk about the effect of Windrush on her family by Diane Ebanks, Learning Project Equality Lead.
• Music of the Windrush generation.
• Photographs displaying the Striking Women of The Grunwick Dispute.
• A food stall to celebrate diversity.
• Buffet lunch

Anna Rothery, Liverpool’s first black Lord Mayor will be in attendance in the afternoon.

Members are welcome to attend more than one unique session and should complete a PCS learning project enrolment form confirming which session(s) and time you wish to attend. If you would like to attend this course, please complete a learning project enrolment form and send it direct to the PCS North West office (NWTUED@pcs.org.uk) or by post to PCS, Jack Jones House, 1 Islington, Liverpool, L3 8EG. 

AGS update on pension overpayments

Within the Civil Service Pension Scheme two different pensions reviews were undertaken which resulted in the recalculation of some pensions, the rectification of Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) and an Internal Control Framework Review.

Civil Service Pensions agreed to waive all overpayments identified by GMP Rectification.

MyCSP failed to act on information supplied by employers some years ago which has caused approximately 13,000 pensions to be recalculated. MyCSP made adjustments to pensions and in around 2,000 cases are seeking recovery of overpayments.

Civil Service unions were not consulted in advance about this review.

PCS’s view is that the circumstances giving rise to the revision exercise amounts to maladministration. We have pressed for consistency with the way GMP cases were treated i.e. all overpayments are written off.

Civil Service Pensions acknowledged the failure to consult unions which raises serious issues of concern. It is important that enough information is provided to enable scheme members to have a reasonable level of assurance that it is correct. This applies to changes which increase as well as decrease pensions.

Advice can be obtained from ARMs Region/Nation Secretaries or from your nearest PCS Hub, details on the PCS website.

John Moloney

Assistant General Secretary

Democracy demonstration, Liverpool

Facebook page for this event here.