NEWS
Prospect gives oral evidence to defence committee
The union appeared before MPs on the House of Commons defence committee on 8 November following its written submission to the inquiry into defence acquisition and procurement.
Prospect head of research Jonathan Green said: “The defence industry is always challenged to manage peaks and troughs in production – a new industrial strategy will help navigate this difficult terrain,” adding that the invitation is evidence that Prospect is seen as an important stakeholder, whose views need to be fed into the policymaking agenda.
Dates set for AWE pensions strike
Prospect members working at the Atomic Weapons Establishment will stage two days of industrial action on November 14 and 15 in their dispute over pensions, following an overwhelming ballot mandate.
The dispute centres on AWE’s plan to replace the defined benefit pension scheme with a defined contribution alternative that is worse than the defined contribution scheme currently available.
The union argues that this contrary to the government’s “copper-bottomed guarantee” of a no less favourable scheme when the contract for running AWE was put out to tender.
DE&S members urged to have their say
Members in Defence Equipment and Support are encouraged to have their say over major plans to transform the organisation.
DE&S members have been sent a link to an online survey to help the union gauge their views and inform further discussions about the sweeping changes being proposed, including how future pay, grading and progression will operate.
All DE&S members are asked to complete the survey before 15 November.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation review
Prospect has called for pay concerns to be considered in the latest Defence Infrastructure Model Review as there are still recruitment and retention issues for specialist roles.
Pay is one of a number of issues highlighted in the union’s response that incorporates feedback from members on the current state of DIO operations, including relations with contractors.
- Prospect's comments on DIO Review. (Please ensure you're logged into the Prospect website.)
Defence estate plans must consider impact on staff
Prospect has urged the Ministry of Defence to support staff affected by its defence estate rationalisation plans by actively facilitating redeployment within MoD or the wider civil service.
The Secretary of State announced a new Defence Estate strategy, which includes plans to sell 91 sites, in the House of Commons on 7 November 2016.
F35 contract win boost for North Wales
Prospect has welcomed the Ministry of Defence announcement that the UK has been chosen to be a global repair hub providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for F-35 avionic and aircraft components.
“DECA was bidding to be the European regional hub, so the decision to make it the global hub from 2021 to 2025 is a huge boost to the Agency and its staff and a welcome recognition of its skills and capabilities,” said Prospect negotiator Steph Marston.
Pensions regulator and the Pension Protection Fund inquiry
Prospect highlighted some of current problems associated with funding defined benefit pension promises in its submission to the Commons work and pensions committee inquiry into the Pension Protection Fund and the Pensions Regulator.
Although many employers find their ongoing sustainability threatened by the funding requirements of a defined benefit scheme, Prospect described notable examples in two of its employing areas.
Prospect responds to Lifetime ISA proposals
The union’s submission to the Common’s Public Bill Committee on the Savings (Government Contributions) Bill has focused on the proposed Lifetime ISA (LISA) and the impact this could have on saving for retirement and the implementation of auto-enrolment.
The submission raises a number of concerns, not least the possibility that LISA could:
- undermine the success of auto-enrolment, or fail to build on its success
- further complicate the pensions and savings landscape
- undermine the consensus against pension ISAs
- poorly target valuable resources.
Brexit
The union has produced a series of briefings to examine the implications of Brexit on Prospect members.
Implications of Brexit for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) outlines concerns about future research and collaboration opportunities and employment security.
The briefing is one side of A4 so can easily be displayed on noticeboards, as well as circulated in electronic format.
September’s Brexit briefing looks at the impact across all Prospect employing industries and argues that Brexit should be seen as “an opportunity to safeguard” the British defence industry and provide a robust industrial strategy for the sector.
Prospect rep makes history as the STUC’s first black vice-president
Prospect member and representative Satnam Ner is the first black vice-president of the Scottish TUC and hopes to become its president next year. Satnam, a radiochemistry manager in the nuclear safety department at Rosyth Dockyard in Scotland, spoke to Prospect for October's Black History Month.
Landmarc members say yes to pay deal
Prospect members in Landmarc have voted overwhelming to accept their 2016 pay deal. The company agreed to include the 2.5% across the board increase in October’s salaries, backdated to 1 April 2016.
An agreed minimum underpin means no one will receive an increase of less than £500 in gross salary. Staff affected by the recent site reviews restructure had the 2.5% increase added to their pre-restructure salary until 31 August, moving to their post-restructure salary from 1 September.
MoD members' guide to business travel policy
New Prospect guidance, which explains members’ contractual entitlements under the MOD’s new Business Travel Policy, is now available.
Holiday pay and allowances
Prospect’s legal team has produced a new employment update that pulls together the growing case law on allowances covering holiday pay and commission and extending the right to voluntary overtime. The basic principle is that when workers are on holiday they should be paid their normal remuneration.
MOD Group Annual Delegate Conference 2017
Date for the diary – the MoD Group ADC will be held 12-13 June 2017 at Aston University, Birmingham. Branches should submit all nominations and motions by 12 noon on Monday 1 May 2017.
Branches are asked to give advance notice of possible delegation numbers and any potential trainee delegates as soon as possible.
RESOURCES
Stress quiz – an awareness-raising and recruitment leaflet that seeks to bust some of the myths around stress.
Recent publications
Legal Eye – This edition includes a report of the first year with the union’s new solicitors; rights to holiday pay; Prison Service appeals tribunal victory, and a legal focus on the Supreme Court.
Equality briefing – Helping neurodiverse members.
MOD Eye and other public sector defence documents
Posters
Let's Talk Prospect – A4 recruitment poster
It's bullying – A4 poster highlighting the different types of bullying
Taking time, saving lives – A4 poster for Prospect safety reps
How Prospect helped me – four A4 recruitment posters showing the different ways the union helps members
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