WIREDGOV

PCS argues that this so-called ‘mutualisation’ is in fact a privatisation as MyCSP Ltd is in no sense a real "Mutual" or workers co-op. It is a Mutual Joint Venture with a private sector partner, which will compete in the market place.

MyCSP staff are being used in an experiment by Francis Maude and the move puts the safe administration of one and a half million civil servants pensions at risk. The model of the MJV was decided by the Cabinet Office and imposed on MyCSP. The model was the only option on the table and MyCSP staff were given no say in the matter.

More than 500 MyCSP staff will be forced to transfer to MyCSP Ltd and in doing so, they will lose their civil service status and access to their civil service pension, though PCS has secured comparable pension terms after transfer.

The process began over a year ago, when Francis Maude described the new entity he envisaged as an ‘Employee-led Mutual’. However, the falsehood that belied the statement was soon exposed by a survey conducted by PCS of members and non-members at MyCSP. Over half of staff responded and of those, 95.7%  wanted to retain their civil service status in full and 94% were opposed to the government's view that the mutualisation would ‘empower employees and improve performance’, as Maude had claimed.

Despite several failed transfer dates, changes of position by the government and an excellent campaign by PCS members, with industrial action at all five MyCSP sites, the transfer will finally be completed soon. PCS will continue to fight and support members through the transition, which will be a difficult time for those involved.

The campaign against privatisation and the coalition government’s cover of ‘mutualisation’ will continue.