NIPSA Reports: Special Edition

NIPSA ReportsSeptember-October 2013 Tel: 028 90661831 www.nipsa.org.ukTHE NEWSPAPER OF THE LEADING PUBLIC SERVICE TRADE UNION

SPECIAL EDITIONDEFENDING PUBLIC SERVICES CAMPAIGN

PROMOTING YOUR INTERESTS, WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF

THIS SPECIAL edition of NIPSAReports is specifically designedto give members a better idea asto the comprehensive work un-dertaken by the union across awide range of sectors on behalfof members.We exist to promote and ad-

vance your interests and we takethis responsibility seriously.Much of what we do on an every-day basis goes unreported. Examples of this include repre-

senting members in matters ofdiscipline, grievance, sick ab-sence reviews and dealing withcomplaints of bullying and ha-rassment. A central feature of the work of

the union is providing support in

job evaluation cases. It is widelyrecognised that NIPSA has deliv-ered substantial benefits to thou-sands of members on account ofour expertise in job evaluationand our commitment to securingthe best possible outcome in payand grading terms. Likewise, our local health and

safety representatives tirelesslywork to ensure your safety atwork. Without their efforts andthe negotiated frameworks theyenforce, there would be no im-pediment to employers short-cir-cuiting any safety procedure thatsuited them to do so.NIPSA, representing in the

main public sector workers, hasalways recognised the close con-

nections between governmentpolicies and the wellbeing ofmembers. That is why in the last number

of years we have been highlight-ing a range of government poli-cies and initiatives which presenta real threat to members’ jobs,pensions, pay and other impor-tant terms and conditions of em-ployment.We are experiencing a period in

which the hard-fought-for andlong-standing advances in work-ers’ rights, standards of livingand social security protectionare being seriously underminedand diluted. In this way, jobs and services,

pay, pensions and other terms

and conditions of employmentare threatened by privatisationas the private sector reap theprofits brought about by reduc-ing wages and shedding jobs.The protection of our members’

interests and the services theydeliver to the community is ourprimary responsibility. This publication will, I hope, in-

form members of some of the im-portant work that NIPSA iscurrently engaged in on your be-half. Please read this publication

and pass it on to your col-leagues.

Brian Campfield,NIPSA General Secretary

Save Exploriscampaign- seepages 4and 5

NIPSA welcomed the research published by theCentre for Economic Empowerment on the im-pact of welfare ‘reform’ on the economy ofNorthern Ireland. This report, commissioned by NICVA esti-

mates that “when the reforms have come intofull effect it is estimated that they will take£750m per year from the NI economy, or £650for every adult of working age.”Alison Millar, NIPSA said: “This is a stagger-

ing figure and much more than previously esti-mated. What this clearly signals is that the

reform of the welfare system is not about help-ing the low-paid or in work families or the sickor disabled it is about saving money for thegovernment. It is not about stimulating theeconomy but about punishing those who havelost their jobs, or who are seeking work andcannot find any.“This report clearly demonstrates that NI will

loose significantly and more businesses includ-ing local shops and restaurants will be forced toclose as those who are on social security bene-fits or are in low paid jobs mainly spend their

money in their local communities. “The NI Assembly must take notice of this ex-

cellent report and ensure that all in society aretreated with respect, dignity and ensure thatthose who need a social security system at anypoint in their lives are not driven further intopoverty.”The full report can be accessed on:

http://www.nicva.org/sites/default/files/IM-PACT%20OF%20WELFARE%20REFORM%20A4.pdf

NIPSA’s opposition to ‘crippling cutbacks’ at Western Health TrustTHE Western Health Trust – which covers Fermanagh – has comeunder a scathing attack after details of a £4.6m budget slash revealedproposals that could “cripple” hospital services.The proposals to slash health services include a 50 per cent reduction in

health professionals, 25% decline in cover for medical staff and a cap on expen-diture on lab tests.The sweeping cuts were laid bare in a letter leaked to NIPSA, a public service

union, which has now threatened industrial action.The four-page letter, sent from Lesley Mitchell, the Western Trust’s Director of

Finance, highlights how the proposals will “compromise the quality of care” andcould result in the closure of an “entire ward”.The letter also outlines the devastating ripple effects and major impact the

£4.6m savings will have on hospitals. It goes on to say: “A range of other serv-ices across the entire Trust will be crippled if these plans are implemented in-cluding reduction of hospital beds, closure of residential homes and thedecimation of domiciliary care.”In response to the deepening crisis within the Western Trust, a spokesperson

for NIPSA said they will have immediate consultations with its members.The long list of services that will be hit by financial cuts include palliative care,

respite for disabled children, reduction in nursing staff and cover for health pro-fessionals among many more.NIPSA official, Alan Law, said the letter painted a ‘very dire picture’.“One area identified for savings includes the capping of expenditure on lab

chemicals, the Trust identifies how this will delay diagnosis and impact on thetimely treatment of patients.“The proposals also include plans to reduce by 25% all unfunded staff in

wards, slashing £1.1million from the budget which in their own words will resultin the “quality of care being compromised and the closure of an entire ward”.”“NIPSA believes this is the true face of Transforming Your Care and calls on

the Minister of Health Edwin Poots to intervene to ensure patient safety is notcompromised.“NIPSA calls for the Trust to refuse to implement these savings and demands

action from the assembly Health Committee.Source: Fermanagh Herald

NEWS NIPSA Reports www.nipsa.org.uk

NIPSA members protesting against the private health care providers using the facilties at South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, earlier this year.

WANTED: ACTION FOR JOBS– NOT ATTACKS ON WELFARE

NIPSA leading from the front in protecting jobs and workplace rights

PROFITING FROMPOLICING

BY THE time the real effects of this con-tract are felt, it will be too late to reversethe decision or repair the damage, a linewill have been crossed. Using Resource Group to provide staff to carry

out CCTV monitoring or act as Station Enquiry As-sistants for instance will undermine the historicalposition where only staff under the control and di-rection of the Chief Constable and ultimately ac-countable to the Policing Board were permitted tocarry out police support functions. This not only weakens the democratic control

which the public have over the provision of publicservices but introduces into the equation a thirdparty; one which has an obligation to shareholdersto deliver financial dividends. Neither the existing police staff or Resource

Group employees will benefit from this contract inthe long run. Resource employees will work along-side PSNI staff who are better paid and have su-perior terms and conditions whereas anyexamination of what Resource Group refer to as‘employee benefits’ will reveal the companyfavours offering shopping discounts rather thancollectively negotiated pay rates. Resource even includes enrolment in the statu-

tory National Employment Savings Trust as a ben-efit! They announce that to potential recruits thatthey will contribute an initial 2% to this so-calledpension but fail to reveal that for existing PSNIsupport staff there is an employer contribution ofaround 19%. Existing PSNI support staff don’t feel reassured

by ‘promises’ that their job is secure because theyare well aware that both PSNI and ResourceGroup have stated that the existing contract canbe expanded into other roles, and Resource arecommitted to building on the contract. It is certainly possible to see a situation where

more than the initial 1,000 Resource employeesare working within the PSNI, some GB policeforces have already outsourced investigatory func-tions, for instance. It is logical, therefore, that in only a few years the

position of those staff historically on Civil Servicerates of pay will be transformed by the downwarddrag created by underpaid and altogether more‘flexible’ Resource staff. The only real guarantee is that PSNI support

staff will be seen as a burden and their morefavourable terms and conditions a cost which thepolice will want to cut. It’s alright senior police officials saying that this

is not their aim but this is the logic of outsourcingas evidenced in other public sector organisations.There is also the elephant which escaped from

the room, the thorny issue of ‘retiring and rehiring’.NIPSA have publicly condemned this practicewhich has caused a significant detriment to ourmembers who have had careers paths curtailed bythe return of former police officers to civilian roles. The Northern Ireland Assembly Public Accounts

Committee is due to conclude its report into thispractice in the autumn and NIPSA hope that theymake the connection between outsourcing anduse of agency workers and the ease with which

the Patten recommendations are undermined.Either way, it is certain that there has been a

lack of succession planning which has meant inthe short-term skills are retained at the cost oflonger-term investment in recruitment of new staff. It is also worth repeating that in an era when

25% of our young people cannot find a job, it isquite legitimate to question the re-employment ofretired staff. It is frustrating that despite the evidence to the

contrary, there is continued belief among seniorpublic servants and politicians that private sectorcompanies will put their drive to make profits toone side and actually put people first when con-tracted to deliver public services. NIPSA has already gathered evidence of in-

stances where the service to the public has suf-fered because of the use of outsourcing in thePSNI. It appears that even the so-called benefitsof outsourcing are overplayed as police officershave had to fill gaps in the Resource Group con-tract.Regardless of the outcome of the Judicial Re-

view, NIPSA will continue to campaign against theprivatisation of policing. Everyone working withinthe police service deserves decent rates of payand terms and conditions which are negotiatedwith their trade union and, ultimately, there shouldbe no room for profit in the delivery of essentialpublic services such as this one.NIPSA Reports will of course keep members up-

to-date on developments, particularly in relation tothe outcome of the legal proceedings.

ON July 16, 2012, Resource Group circulated an ‘e-update’ toall its employees. Pride of place was the announcement thatthe company secured “the PSNI Support Services contract” adevelopment which the firm considered “massively signifi-cant”. The significance of the £180 million contract was not lost on

NIPSA either and the union immediately started taking legalaction and a Judicial Review hearing was concluded in July2013. NIPSA members will have heard repeated assertions that

there is no reason to be alarmed at the use of such contracts. Senior police representatives, including the Chief Constable,

have attempted to play down allegations that these contractsamount to privatisation or that current staff will be impacted. NIPSA Reports has already carried a number of articles on

the subject. We asked Assistant Secretary RYAN McKINNEY tosummarise the main points:


Organise to protect services, jobs, pay and pensionsYOU HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY...SUPPORT YOUR UNION AND YOUR COLLEAGUES

Visit http://www.nipsa.org.uk AND give a like to our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter

NIPSA has vowed to apply “maxi-mum pressure” to the Northern Ire-land Executive and electedrepresentatives in a bid to securefunding to prevent the closure ofthe Exploris centre.It follows the shock decision by Ards

Borough Council’s Development Com-mittee to recommend the move at theCouncil’s meeting on September 25.The union understands that this wasnot a unanimous decision.However, at the September 25 meet-

ing, councillors agreed to defer the de-cision about the aquarium’s future fortwo months.This came after significant pressure

came from a number of groups, includ-ing NIPSA and Friends of Exploris,and followed a swiftly-organisedprotest attended by several hundredpeople. In her address to the Council, NIPSA

Official Antoinette McMillen argued fora deferment for at least four to sixmonths The development has shown that

NIPSA was absolutely right in fightingto protect Exploris staff who werefaced with a downgrading of theirterms and conditions after the Councildecided to privatise the facility lastyear.NIPSA then entered into talks with

private company Livingstone Leisureover the transfer arrangements for

staff. NIPSA argued successfully thatTUPE should apply and that any newpension provision would be required toprovide a comparable pension andpension benefits for existing staff. Livingstone Leisure after a number

of months of talks decided not to pro-ceed with the running of the centre, cit-ing that they could not afford thepension provision in place for existingstaff. It was within days of this that the De-

velopment Committee moved to agreea recommendation to close the facility. Deputy General Secretary Alison Mil-

lar, who attended the September 25meeting, said: “It was clear from theoutset of the meeting that tensionswere running high as some of those

councillors who had previously votedto close and dispose of the facility hadbeen put under pressure to reversetheir decision as it was they who pro-posed the two-month deferral. “While two months deferral is a very

short window of opportunity, NIPSA willwork to secure maximum pressure onthe Northern Ireland Executive andelected representatives to ensure thatRegional funding is secured for this im-portant facility.”Not only a tourist attraction, Exploris

also provides a programme of educa-tion as part of its outreach to schools.And in 2010, a STEM report estimatedthat it contributed £300,000 to the localeconomy.NIPSA launched its campaign to

save the aquarium at a public meetingin Portaferry on September 30.The union has also written to a wide

range of politicians, including MPs andMinisters – particularly those with Ed-ucation, Environment, Tourism andCulture portfolios – to press them tocome up with a financial package tosecure funding to keep this importantfacility open.NIPSA has called for the facility to be

upgraded so it can become, accordingto a NIPSA source, “a jewel in thecrown of Northern Ireland’s leadingtourism and educational attractions”.Alison Millar told NIPSA Reports: “A

number of local businesses have al-ready been in touch with the unionvoicing their concerns that they willhave to close (or are certainly underthreat of closure) if Exploris closes asthey derive significant income from vis-itors who visit the aquarium and thenspend time in the town. “The next two months will be an ex-

tremely busy and important time forNIPSA in seeking to secure the futureof Exploris as a facility for all the citi-zens of Northern Ireland and widerafield who come year on year to thisarea. “In addition NIPSA is seeking to se-

cure the future of the employees andtheir families who depend on workingin Exploris and the seal sanctuary fortheir livelihood.”


IN APRIL, NIPSA branches withinDFP Land and Property Services(LPS) reacted angrily to news thatmanagement intended to launch areview of the revenue and benefitssection. According to its terms of refer-

ence, the review was set up to “re-search, analyse and evaluate theviability of outsourcing the LPSbenefits and revenue services andto make recommendations on themost appropriate future delivery ofthese services.” And in terms of project outputs,

the review’s terms of reference in-cluded “evaluation and analysis ofthe viability of outsourcing the rev-enue and benefits services ofLPS”.It added that this would include

“assessing the commercial viabil-ity of outsourcing and potential im-pact on performance and value formoney.”

Members working at LPS met inMay, with many of those presentvoicing fears about their jobs, pay,terms and conditions as well aspensions and staff numbers. NIPSA Official Noel Griffin,

speaking at the meeting, said:“Make no mistake this review isabout privatising work currentlyundertaken by civil servants, ofwhich the vast majority are NIPSAmembers. “If the review recommends out-

sourcing and that is accepted bythe Department, approximately350-400 existing posts will beunder threat. That includes NICSterms and conditions.” Mr Griffin pointed out that it was

a “difficult issue for NIPSA to grap-ple with” and said the union, de-spite its long-standing oppositionto privatisation, could not “ignorethe review and allow managementa free rein”.

He added: “With the full supportof the local branch we intend to doeverything possible to ensure‘Revs and Bens’ work remainswithin the NICS and are not handedover to the private sector. “We have established a local

team of branch representatives toassist NIPSA Headquarters and theDFP TUS Office to ensure the serv-ice provided by our members isprotected.”An urgent meeting with Manage-

ment Side was subsequently or-ganised at which the draft terms ofreference were discussed ensuringTUS had an input at every stage ofthe review.In reply to a management claim

that the review was about replac-ing the rating IT system and notoutsourcing, Noel Griffin said:“That is somewhat misleadingsince the background to the proj-ect clearly states that prior to a

procurement, IT process com-mencing, consideration is given tothe viability of outsourcing the rev-enue and benefits service.”Meanwhile, TUS were advised

that a number of local councils inGreat Britain were visited by thereview team during the summermonths. In particular, TUS welcomed the

fact that one of these councils hadpreviously outsourced their Coun-cil Tax Collection Services but hadrecently brought it back ‘in-house’. NIPSA also contacted this partic-

ular council’s trade union. Meanwhile, at a recent meeting

with LPS management, TUS re-quested a pre- report meeting withthe review team. This is provision-ally scheduled for later this month.It is understood the review will bepublished following the meeting.

Privatisation threat at LPS

NIPSA members and supporters of Save Exploris outside Ards Council offices

Exploris: fate


NIPSA, the largest public sector trade union in Northern Ireland haspledged it will resist the closure of the Portaferry Exploris Aquariumfacility.NIPSA General Secretary Brian Campfield stated: “NIPSA has

been making the case for a number of years that Exploris needs aproper investment programme to ensure that Northern Ireland has afirst class state-of-the-art aquarium which can be utilised for bothtourism and educational purposes and we are concerned that theobjective of Ards Borough Council has, for some years, been eitherto close or privatise the facility.“To close this facility would be bordering on the criminal and

NIPSA will be organising robust opposition to any plans to closethe facility.“While the jobs provided at the facility are important the closure

of Exploris would be extremely damaging to tourism and the localeconomy. We are calling upon on public representatives and localcommunity and business interests to put their weight and influencebehind an immediate campaign to keep Exploris open and for ade-quate investment in the facility to ensure its long term future.”Commenting further Mr Campfield said: “Exploris, is in essence a

regional facility and it should not be left to Ard’s Borough Councilto make a decision to close it nor should the council be asked toshoulder the financial cost on its own.“We are calling on the NI executive to intervene with a commit-

ment to safeguarding Exploris for both the short and the long term.”He concluded: “We are calling on all political parties in Northern

Ireland to show the same unity and determination displayed bythem in their support for the campaign to retain the Driver VehicleAgency in Coleraine. It makes no difference to the employees andthe local community whether decisions to close public sector facili-ties and destroy jobs are made at Westminster or our own Assem-bly.”

NIPSA vows to fight closure

IN JUNE, Trade Union Side wereadvised of Management Side’s in-tention to launch a project to re-place current IT support forpension administration and finan-cial services (including payroll). The Civil Service Pensions

Branch – based in WatersideHouse, Derry – carries out work forthe Department of Finance and Per-sonnel on the Principal Civil Serv-ice Pension Scheme (NI) [PCSPS(NI)] and its associated schemes. A market engagement exercise

was also carried out and an outlinebusiness case prepared. In mid-August, Trade Union Side

were told by Management Sideabout further developments which

appeared to be at an advancedstage. TUS made strong representations

to Management Side – in particularabout the compete lack of formalmeaningful consultation. Trade Union Side also requested

copies of the market engagementexercise including responses re-ceived including the outline busi-ness case.A copy of the draft outline busi-

ness case was further requestedon the basis that Trade Union Sidewould consider it before it waspassed to DFP Finance. At a packed meeting on Septem-

ber 20, NIPSA Official Noel Griffinoutlined the potential impact on

members’ jobs and to the servicethey provide. He said: “While local TUS have

been provided with informationabout this major project, there hasbeen no attempt by ManagementSide to take part in genuine consul-tation with NIPSA. “One of the main options under

consideration involved the out-sourcing of pension administrationto a third party supplier – in otherwords, privatisation. The potentialimpact on members’ jobs, termsand conditions would be signifi-cant.”Mr Griffin said: “Every effort will

be made by NIPSA to halt this pri-vatisation of our members’ pension

administration. It will ultimately im-pact upon every single member ofthe PCSPS. “The jobs of our members who

have administered the scheme effi-ciently and effectively over manyyears are clearly under threat.”He vowed: “Our campaign to

protect our members’ jobs by re-taining the administration of thescheme in house starts today!”

A meeting with Management Sideis currently being arranged to findout specific details of the projectand to ensure there is full consulta-tion. Members are also to lobbyMLAs and MPs about the potentialloss of jobs in the North West.

Threat to Civil Service Pensions Branch

not yet sealed


NIPSA General Secretary Brian Campfield has vowed theunion “will seize every opportunity” to underline the “ex-ceptionally devastating” impact the centralisation of vehiclelicensing services to Swansea, Wales, will have on localjobs and the wider Northern Ireland economy.He made his comments to a packed meeting of more than 100

people at the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine, on September 5.A decision by DVLA to withdraw more than 300 vehicle licens-

ing jobs will have serious consequences for Coleraine in particu-lar, where almost 80% of the jobs are located. Mr Campfield pointed out that 1,200 jobs had already gone as

vehicle licensing offices “from Aberdeen to Brighton, from Nor-wich to Bristol” had closed since last year.There was, he added, “a clear political agenda” coming from

Westminster to remove these posts and claimed NIPSA hadmanaged to “hold up a decision [being taken] on Coleraine”.“We have now to seize every opportunity to make the case. An

important part of that is highlighting the exceptionally devastat-ing impact that the loss of jobs, particularly here in Coleraine,would have on the local economy and the people who rely on it.”

Coleraine is a small town, with a population of around 24,000,so the loss of jobs on the scale envisaged will have a major im-pact on its economy and people. It has suffered a 9.2% decline in employee jobs between 2007

and 2011 equating to 2,096 jobs.Mr Campfield flagged up a number of reasons why the move

to Wales had to be resisted.Outlining how the loss of vehicle licensing jobs was equivalent

to the withdrawal of more than £22m a year from the local econ-omy, he warned: “All sectors of the economy would be impactedby this multiplier effect, most notably wholesale and retail, ac-commodation and food services, entertainment and recreation.”Mr Campfield told the meeting: “This is certainly the weakest

the Northern Ireland economy has been since at least the mid-1990s.“In 2012 there were around 3,000 redundancies in Northern

Ireland, an increase of more than 50% on the previous year. Toput that in context, the number of staff involved in vehicle licens-ing represents around 10% of that annual total. “The claimant count in Northern Ireland has increased to

7.1%, with nearly 65,000 people related benefits. This is the seco behind that for the North East. S Northern Ireland figure and the f been widening sharply.”Mr Campfield said it was vital

“wholly disproportionate” impact land which he added was emerg conflict”.He slammed, in particular, wha

clusion” of derogatory remarks i gesting that any move to Swans bias”,“Let me be absolutely clear he

ered this service with a custome is no evidence of religious bias a been made anywhere other than “The inclusion, however, sugg

of Tory Ministers is alive and kic and indeed say anything, to see

ASSISTANT General Secretary Ryan McKin-ney, speaking at the same meeting, coun-tered claims that the move to centralisevehicle licensing services would lead to a“quicker, better service”.He flagged up points being pushed by ad-

vocates for change that were “being re-ported as fact despite our efforts tochallenge them”.Setting out instead what he called “gen-

uine facts”, he pointed out that productivitytargets in Coleraine were currently muchbetter than those proposed under the con-sultation.He told the meeting: “Coleraine’s target is

to issue 95% of refunds within five days –

this will now slip to 30!”and queried whethersuch a service was in-deed “quicker”.Mr McKinney also

claimed that a survey oflocal car dealers had in-dicated their preferencefor dealing with localmotor tax offices or by telephone with Col-eraine, adding that “both of these optionsare to be abolished – that is not ‘better’.”He also dissected the claim that the move

would save the taxpayer £12 million a year,pointing out that initial transformation costsalone would amount to £18 million.

Mr McKinney warned that afurther 1.5 private sector jobswould be lost for every publicsector post that goes to thewall. This, he claimed, wouldtranslate to a loss of 500 jobsto the local economy in Col-eraine.“We hear every day how ex-

pensive economic inactivity is for taxpayersand yet these proposals will mean an addi-tional cost in social security benefits of £3million a year. “When looked at across the whole of the

UK, this will outweigh the proposed sav-ings.”

Mr McKinney DVA had been “ tackling tax eva“In 1996 the r

By last year this That means mo duction will of c There is a real a exasion will inc established her councils and th He concluded

clear to [Roads mond that what better service w service.”

NIPSA has signalled its intention to seeklegal advice over ‘bias’ comments that ap-peared in the consultation document on thefuture of Vehicle Licensing and Registrationin Northern Ireland.Transport Minister Stephen Hammond, in a

speech in the Commons earlier this month,said: “I must stress that there was no intentionto imply that anyone at the staff of the DVAmay be biased in any way.”However, NIPSA Assistant Secretary Ryan

McKinney claimed the Minister’s clarificationfar from settled the matter.He told NIPSA Reports: “The point is that the

consultation could potentially be fundamentallyflawed by the inclusion of the offensive state-ment in the first place. “We feel that the statement is prejudicial to

the consultation and belies an underlying hos-tility to staff based in Northern Ireland. Wehave instructed our lawyers to explore a num-ber of options and these could include seeking

leave for a judicial review.”NIPSA represents more than 300 at the DVA,

who face an uncertain future if the CoalitionGovernment presses ahead with the centralisa-tion of all vehicle licensing services toSwansea. Mr McKinney pointed out the impact of such

a move would involve more than the loss ofjobs.He said: “It is serious enough that jobs are at

risk and the desperate economic situation

could be damage cerning is that the service will suffer to motor traders w backlogs such as by dealers in Sco “We intend ma

have set up a Ste cians, staff and b bring this campa ple who rely on th

ANGER OVERDVA ‘BIASEDCOMMENTS’

Devastating impact DVLA move will have o

‘Quicker, better’ service claims rubb

Opponents of the DVA closure at a mass meeting in Coleraine


NIPSA has launched a newreport into social housingprovision in Northern Ire-land.Titled, Keep Our Housing Pub-lic, the research was carried outby Queen’s academic StewartSmyth. It follows Minister Nelson Mc-

Causland’s announcement inJanuary about the future deliv-ery of social housing.If adopted, the Minister’s pro-

posals will lead to the break-upof the Northern Ireland HousingExecutive and its replacementby a Regional Housing Bodywithin the public sector withlandlord functions carried outoutside of the public sector.Since then there has been lit-

tle debate on the proposals, butNIPSA has been active in high-lighting the issue and has spo-ken to a number of localpoliticians as well as undertak-ing the research.Mr Smyth was commissioned

by the union to look into the ex-perience of large-scale volun-tary transfers in Britain and todevelop a number of alternativepolicy models.Keep Our Housing Public was

launched on Monday, Septem-ber 23 at Parliament Buildings inStormont.Green Party MLA Steven

Agnew sponsored the launch.Opening the event, Deputy

General Secretary Alison Millar

pointed out that there had beenlittle debate about the delivery ofsocial housing since MinisterMcCausland’s announced hisproposals.She said: “NIPSA commis-

sioned this research to openthat debate as we do not sharethe Minister’s view that the cur-rent model is ‘simply not sus-tainable’. “NIPSA believe that the NIHE

as an overarching body provid-ing both a strategic function anda landlord function is absolutelysustainable and the Minister’sview is a cynical attempt to ef-fectively privatise social housingin Northern Ireland. “It is an attempt to distance

government from its responsibil-ity for the provision of socialhousing. NIPSA believe that be-fore such a radical step is taken,there needs to be a wide debateamong political representatives,tenants, community groups andother key stakeholders into theMinister’s proposals and that alloptions and alternatives are fullyexplored and exhausted. “NIPSA believes an alternative

must be found and for this rea-son NIPSA commissioned Stew-art Smyth to carry outindependent academic researchinto alternative models of socialhousing provision, including ex-amining what has happenedelsewhere, which would ensurethat social housing would con-

tinue to be provided from withinthe public sector.”In his contribution, Stewart

Smyth pointed out that PWChad described the NIHE as “oneof the success stories fromNorthern Ireland recent history.Since its introduction nearly 40years ago it has delivered signif-icant social benefits throughoutNorthern Ireland with the qualityof the housing stock havingmoved from one of the worst inWestern Europe to what is nowregarded as best quality stock.It is rightly regarded nationallyand internationally as a leadingauthority on best practice onboth housing management andcommunity building.” Mr Smyth added that a 2009

Savills report into the conditionof housing stock had flagged upthat NIHE housing stock was“by far the best quality housingstock that we have inspected.NIHE has maintained the stockto a high standard and the workundertaken has been completedto a high standard”.This legacy was now being

threatened by stock transferproposals of the Northern Ire-land Executive.He said the research showed

that, despite claims to the con-trary, stock transfer constitutes aform of privatisation. The central purpose of a stock

transfer is to raise private fi-nance, using the housing stockas security. This means there isan element of profit-making viaa third party, whether that is abank or other finance provideror by the issuing of bonds in thecapital markets or, for the largerassociations, ways are beingfound to access funds throughlisting on the stock markets. Therefore, housing associa-

tions must act like businesses,rather than a public service.Therefore this results in practicein the prioritisation of the inter-ests of the finance providerahead of the interests of ten-ants.In 2011, the NIHE transferred

55 homes on the Creggan es-tate to Apex Housing Associa-tion.

Despite promises given to ten-ants of modest rent increases,the fact is that several monthsafter the transfer, rents have spi-ralled by more than 28.5%. Had the NIHE been allowed to

raise the finance to do the work,rents would have risen from thepre-improvement rent of £52.43per week to £53.93 for a three-bedroom house. To date no-one has tried to

argue that rents will not rise buttenants, once they becomeaware of this may have some-thing to say about this, particu-larly because of impendingchanges because of the socalled ‘bedroom tax’.A major criticism by the stock

transfer process is the loss ofdemocratic accountability –housing associations as privatebodies are not subject to demo-cratic accountability.Mr Stewart also set out a

number of alternatives in Sec-tion 3 of his report. In doing so he highlighted a

number of important points.Buried in the PWC report is astatement that the landlord func-tion of the NIHE is largely finan-cially sustainable. The three alternatives cited in

the report are:n A level playing field being cre-ated with England, Scotland andWales who have been allowedto borrow prudently within thePrudential Borrowing Frame-work. This would allow theNIHE to access private financewithout the consent of centralgovernment providing they staywithin certain limits;n Change the borrowing rules –to allow the NIHE to borrow themoney.n Invest in the future – If theNorthern Ireland Executive isserious about meeting the ex-pected future housing need,there has to be more moneyavailable to the NIHE.The full report and short guidecan be accessed on the NIPSAwebsite at:http://www.nipsa.org.uk/Cam-paigns/Keep-our-Housing-Public/Campaign-launch

e now claiming unemployment- ond highest figure in the UK, just Since 2009, the gap between the figure for the UK as a whole has

that DVLA recognised the

the move have on Northern Ire- ging from a “sustained period of

at he termed the “distasteful in- n a consultation document sug- sea “might eliminate religious

ere. Our members have deliver satisfaction rate of 98%. There

and the suggestion has never n in this document. ests that the pro-austerity bias

king and they will do anything, it through.”

also underlined how the “particularly effective” in

asion. ate of evasion here was 10%.

s had decreased to 0.7%. ore tax is collected so any re-

course mean fewer ‘savings’. and genuine concern that tax crease once the partnerships

re between the DVA, locals he police are lost.”

d: “We must make it crystal Minister] Stephen Ham- t he claims will be a quicker, will in fact be a slower, worse

ed further but what is also con- e public have no idea that the r. Indeed, NIPSA have spoken

who are already fearful of s those currently experienced

otland. king the public aware and eering Committee with politi- business representatives to ign to the attention of the peo-

he service.”

on town

bished

SOCIAL HOUSING SHOULDREMAIN IN PUBLIC HANDS

£250 for FE sector membersearning less than £21k

NIPSA has described as a “significantvictory” an agreement brokered withthe DEL Minister that will see FE Sec-tor staff who earn £21,000 or less (pro-rata for part-time employees) pocket a£250 payment for 2010/11 and 2011/12Union officials have flagged up its

significance as the union had beenseeking to resolve the issue since thesummer of 2011. The agreement brings NIPSA mem-

bers in the FE sector into line withunion members across the Educationsector, Libraries, NICS and Local Gov-ernment.

Assistant Secretary, Paddy Mackel,told NIPSA Reports: “This is an impor-tant development and demonstratesclearly the value of being a member ofa trade union. “Our members who are low paid

workers will now receive a small – butnot insignificant – financial boost inthese difficult economic times.”He added: “NIPSA members should

remind any work colleagues who maynot be in a union of the benefits ofunion membership and collective bar-gaining unions deliver for members.”

Presenting NIPSA’s report on social housing at Stormontare: (l-r) Deputy General Secretary, Alison Millar, reportauthor Stewart Smyth and NIHE branch 503 rep, JohnMorrison

NIPSA has issued a threat of possi-ble industrial action in a Review ofPublic Administration row with theDepartment of Environment overwhat the union says is the depart-ment’s failure to consult with itsstaff over proposed changes.The Department of the Environment

(DOE) has created the potential for amajor dispute within local governmentthrough bringing forward the LocalGovernment (Statutory TransitionCommittees) Regulations (NorthernIreland) 2013 to the Assembly in lateJune the regulations came into effectfrom early July. There was no consultation with

NIPSA or the Trade Union Side of theLocal Government Reform Joint Forum(LGRJF), despite the fact Clause 18clearly impacts on staff.There is also the potential for indus-

trial action should the avenues cur-rently being applied fail to resolve theissue, in particular any application ofclause 18(3).Other serious questions as to the

2015 implementation date have arisenwith the Boundaries Commissioner

convening nine public inquiries into thestructure of electoral areas. The DOE also failed to have the

main re-organisation Bill introducedinto the Assembly before the summerrecess.Yet again local government staff are

being treated in a less-favourablemanner than those in the Civil Service,Health & Social Care and Educationsectors in respect of RPA. NIPSA has made it clear to the DOE

and local government employers that itis not prepared to stand by and seethis happen.A clear warning by NIPSA has been

issued to the DOE that the conse-quences of its actions will have an im-pact on the implementationarrangements for local governmentRPA.”NIPSA has been pursuing the matter

in various arenas including the LGRJF,the Local Government Staff Commis-sion, directly with the DOE and is alsoexamining various potential legalremedies. Clause 18 not only provides for the

pubic appointment of chief executives

and the politicisation of the appoint-ments process with the requirement fora two-thirds majority of the StatutoryTransition Committee to approve theappointment, more worryingly, it opensup all appointments to public adver-tisement. A sub clause 18(3) states: “A Statu-

tory Transition Committee may appointother staff to the new Council for itsdistrict as it deems appropriate.”According to the union, this repre-

sents a flagrant and unilateral renegingof previous commitments over howTUPE is applied to Local GovernmentRPA and a total usurping of the RPAGuiding Principles as determined bythe Public Service Commission (PSC)and issued by the Northern Ireland Ex-ecutive.As a consequence of the introduction

of the regulations and comments madeby a senior DOE official at an RPA im-plementation body, TUS sought a com-mitment of the LGRJF ManagementSide on August 7 that:(i) the Department would move to re-

scind clause 18; and(ii) that the Management Side reaf-

firm its commitment to the applicationof TUPE, as per Guiding Principle 3sub para 2.1.No commitment was given to rescind

clause 18(3) and an evasive, non-com-mitted and wholly-unacceptable re-sponse was given to the TUPEquestion. It could only be concludedon the TUPE point that the DOE hasreneged on its application.The current position is that NIPSA

has embarked on the following action:(i) a meeting has been sought with theDOE Minister;(ii) a meeting has been sought with thePublic Service Commission;(iii) the DOE Permanent Secretary hasbeen written to asking that as head ofthe Department, he confirms thatTUPE does apply, without anycaveats;(iv) a further special meeting of theLGRJF has been arranged; and(v) discussions are continuing withNIPSA’s legal advisers as to a range ofpotential legal actions.

STRIKE THREAT LOOMSIN ROW OVER LACK OFCONSULTATION BY DOE

Who knowswhen ESA willbe set up butI’m hedging my bets!

ALTHOUGH there was some confidenceamong officials earlier this year that the Ed-ucation and Skills Authority would finally beset up – with April 1, October 1 or December31 as possible dates, it is now becomingclear that, with no political agreementreached before the summer recess at Stor-mont, yet another year is set to go by beforethe body comes into being.NIPSA Official Paddy Mackel said: “Cynics

may suggest that political parties are notlikely to reach agreement after six or sevenyears of delay and argument over ESA but Iwould remind people that there were somewho also thought the High Hedges Act 2011would not be passed. “Admittedly there are slightly more com-

plex issues involved in the ESA draft bill butif politicians can reach agreement that twometers is high enough for a hedge, thensurely anything is possible.”He added: “On a serious note, if ESA is to

be established, there are important issuesto be resolved for members, not least

around who will be the employer, but alsoaround protections for staff, location of jobsand the impact of new organisational struc-tures on staff. “NIPSA has played a key role in the ICTU

Education Trade Union Group in makingstrong representations on behalf of mem-bers to ESA, the Department of Educationofficials, the Assembly’s Education Commit-tee and the Minister to ensure that mem-bers’ interests and terms and conditionswill be fully protected if and when ESA isset up.NIPSA will continue to work through the

range of issues with the help of additionalsecondment positions provided for by theDepartment, to ensure that members’ inter-ests are fully taken into account in themonths ahead. “In the meantime, the union will keep a

close eye on developments through a holein the nearest hedge.”


NIPSA Education Official Paddy Mackel has admittedsome members working in the sector will be feelinganxious about the future with regard to the Area Plansbeing developed by the Education and Library Boardsfor local primary schools.He predicted that the coming year would be busy for

NIPSA Education branches in dealing with the propos-als.Mr Mackel told NIPSA Reports: “Some members will

be anxious about the position in the coming monthsas proposals are brought forward to amalgamate or

merge schools or close some schools altogether, withsome new schools also being built. “NIPSA Branches will have to work closely with

members and, on occasion, other interested groups toensure that the union does everything possible to rep-resent members’ interests and resist closures whereappropriate.”He added: “Centrally NIPSA will continue to engage

with employers and the Department to reach agree-ment on protection arrangements for staff.”

Members‘anxious’over Area Plans


NIPSA is to raise the issue of the NICS equalpay settlement as it is applied to those memberswho have worked for the PSNI and/or NIO withFinance Minister Simon Hamilton.This follows comments made by both Mr Hamilton

and First Minister Peter Robinson in relation to theissue.Mr Robinson, in responding to a query from con-

stituents, said he had “consistently argued withingovernment” that there was a “moral duty” to helpthose who had been discriminated against by theNIO decision not to fulfil its obligation to staff.He added that he had spoken about the matter to

the current Finance Minister.And Mr Hamilton, in turn, has also spoken about

this “incredible sympathy” for those seeking consis-tent application of the equal pay settlement.In reply to a recent question put by a DUP col-

league in the Assembly, he said: “I have spoken tomany colleagues over the past couple of weeks, no-tably the First Minister, the Member himself, Mr Mc-Crea, who is sitting on his left and, indeed, manyothers in the Assembly, who have expressed theirconcerns and the strong feeling that they have thatthere is a moral case for us to address. “However, I am conscious of the danger of raising

expectations unnecessarily. “A lot of people were let down in the past, and I do

not want in any way to raise their expectations thatthis can be resolved.“However, I make it clear that I am carefully con-

sidering options on the issue. I have asked officialsto prepare a paper on how a payment could bemade, how much of such a payment could be madeand what the ramifications might be.“To make that a reality, I am mindful that I might

require broader political support in the Executiveand, indeed, the Assembly. There are issues andchallenges with this matter, but I am carefully con-sidering it, and I hope that what I have said todaymight give some comfort to those in the PSNI andthe NIO that their case is being taken seriously.”NIPSA is to raise the statement with Mr Hamilton

and find out what scope there is to settle the issue.In the meantime, the union is taking the following

steps:n NIPSA has launched an online petition calling onthe Finance Minister and the Northern Ireland Exec-utive to authorise access to the terms of the NICSequal pay settlement. The union is encouragingmembers to sign the petition (see link below).n Members are being asked to attend constituencyclinics held by their political representatives to dis-cuss what practical support they will give to havingthis matter resolved, andn Arrangements are being made for a further

protest at Stormont. Assistant General Secretary Kieran Bannon told

NIPSA Reports: “The union is writing to the Assem-bly Finance and Personnel Committee requestingthat it renews its call on the Finance Minister to ex-tend the terms of the equal pay settlement to thosewith service/past service in the PSNI and/or NIO. “This was the position adopted by the Committee

in May 2012 following the conclusion of taking evi-dence.“It is important that we continue to make repre-

sentations at all levels and that members continueto participate in the actions being taken forward. “Given the recent statements by senior political

representatives, we must seize this opportunity inseeking to get justice for those denied the full bene-fit of the equal pay settlement negotiated byNIPSA.”You can sign the peitition at the following 38 De-

grees link:http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/access-to-nics-equal-pay-settlement-petition

NI Civil ServiceCompensationScheme is under attackDESPITE the introduction of a revised re-dundancy compensation scheme in theUK Civil Service in 2010, NIPSA contin-ued to oppose this inferior scheme beingapplied to staff in the Northern IrelandCivil Service and related NDPBs.Unfortunately, the Northern Ireland As-

sembly did amend the NI Superannua-tion Order 1972 which removed the vetofrom NIPSA and other trade unions overany detrimental changes to the redun-dancy compensation scheme. This wasdone despite strenuous objections fromNIPSA.As part of evidence NIPSA presented

to the Assembly’s Finance and Person-nel Committee, the union had arguedthat if the veto was removed, then theNICS would proceed to apply these ex-tremely detrimental changes.General Secretary Brian Campfield told

NIPSA Reports: “We were proven correcton this count and over the past year wehave spent considerable time attemptingto persuade the Department of Financeand Personnel from diminishing thecompensation entitlement of staff whoare made redundant, either on a volun-tary or compulsory basis.”The draft legislation to give effect to

these changes is currently out for con-sultation and NIPSA will be making astrong case to the Assembly that the leg-islation should be rejected. Mr Campfield continued: “We will also

be providing a brief to members to en-able representations to be made by them– as constituents – to MLAs. NIPSA willalso be making direct representations toMLAs on this issue. “We are not prepared to countenance

an attack on redundancy entitlements forstaff losing their jobs especially as in thecurrent economic environment there islittle likelihood of redundant civil ser-vants securing alternative employment. “We are not prepared to allow these

detrimental changes, which are alsolikely to apply to staff who are dismissedon sickness/inefficiency grounds, with-out doing our utmost to prevent themfrom being introduced in Northern Ire-land. “Branches are also being requested to

consider whether members would beprepared to engage in industrial actionas part of our campaign to stop this at-tack on important terms and conditions.”

Support petition forNICS Equal Pay

NIPSA Assistant General Secretary Kieran Bannon speakingat Equal Pay demo on Stormont steps


NIPSA members employed byDerry City Council voted unan-imously to commence a statu-tory ballot to include strikeaction and action short ofstrike action following the de-cision by Council manage-ment to proceed withcompulsory redundancies.NIPSA HQ Official, Alan Law

commented: “NIPSA has beendemanding that managementwithdraw the redundancy no-tices and embark on negotia-tions to resolve this dispute, aformal request was made to

make a presentation to theCouncil’s Staff Committee butthis was turned down by TownClerk – Sharon O’Connor.We are calling on Council-

lors who have contactedNIPSA to voice their opposi-tion to the redundancies to de-mand a stop to these plans.NIPSA has requested an as-surance that there will be nomore compulsory redundan-cies, however Ms O’Connorhas refused to give this com-mitment.”

Derry City Councilworkers vote yesfor strike ballot

BELFAST City Council has de-cided to invest more than£100m on revamping itsleisure services stock and hascommissioned consultancyfirm Deloitte to produce a re-port on the delivery options.While the report rules out a

purely private sector solution, itsfirst preference is to remove thedelivery of leisure services fromCouncil control and to use a vol-untary body with charitable sta-tus to deliver the services.NIPSA has joined other recog-

nised trade unions in Belfast CityCouncil to make it clear thatwhile unions are prepared to co-operate on the appropriate publicsector model, they robustly op-pose both a private sector or acharitable status organisationmodel to deliver leisure servicesin the city.Talks have started with the

Council with unions setting astheir priority the retention ofleisure services provision in-

house, run by the Council on be-half of the community with nodiminution of the pay, pensionsand other terms and conditionsof employment of both existingand future employees.Public services, including

leisure, cannot be delivered onthe cheap. Decent pay, pensionsas well as workers’ terms andconditions of employment shouldnot be sacrificed to cut the costof delivering the service.NIPSA also believes that the

Council and the workforce shouldjointly examine ways in whichlocal communities can have agreater say in the running ofservices.NIPSA leisure representatives

are actively involved in these ne-gotiations to ensure that the in-terests of workers are notsidelined and that high qualitystate-of-the-art leisure servicesare available to all the people ofBelfast.

Working to keep Belfast City Council leisure services public

WE WON’T TAKETHE FALL

NIPSA was scheduled tomeet the new FinanceMinister Simon Hamiltonin October to discuss anumber of public sectorissues following thehand-over of the portfo-lio from outgoing Minis-ter Sammy Wilson.The new Minister’s first

address was at a break-fast meeting with the Con-federation of BritishIndustry. While it con-tained many positive ref-erences to the role of thepublic sector – including astatement that the size ofthe public sector was not

the problem – he did an-nounce the setting up of aPublic Sector Reform Divi-sion (PSRD) within hisDepartment. The disappointing as-

pect of Mr Hamilton’s in-augural speech was hisreference to the potentialto use the private and vol-untary sectors to deliverpublic services.Since the PSRD an-

nouncement, Colin Sulli-van has been named asthe civil servant to takecharge of this work.Recommendations and

proposals coming from

this new Division withinDFP will potentially haveimportant consequencesfor NIPSA membersacross the public sector.NIPSA will be endeav-

ouring to ensure that bothMinister and the PSRDwill not be able to disre-gard the case for publicservices being deliveredwithin a public service en-vironment with the accom-panying level ofdemocratic accountabilitythat goes with public ser-vants delivering publicservices.

NIPSA to meet newFinance Minister

NEWS Page11 NIPSA Reports www.nipsa.org.uk

NIPSA has welcomed the motionwhich was adopted at Magher-afelt Council in September, call-ing for access by the trade unionNIPSA to the workforce and TradeUnion recognition within Pulse inGreenvale Leisure Centre.Prior to the privatisation of the

leisure services at GreenvaleLeisure Centre, NIPSA had mem-bers who worked in MagherafeltCouncil and following the threatof compulsory redundancy hadno option but to apply for jobs inthe newly privatised operation. These jobs were advertised on

Magherafelt Council’s website,and attracted a lesser rate of pay.Had the old Greenvale remainedopen until the new facility wasready the staff would have trans-ferred and NIPSA would have, be-cause of the Transfer ofUndertakings Regulations beenautomatically recognised byPULSE.NIPSA has contacted PULSE on

a number of occasions to requestaccess to the Leisure Centre tospeak with staff about the bene-

fits of NIPSA membership. How-ever, the Management at PULSEhave refused to have even a pre-liminary meeting. NIPSA finds this approach to-

tally unacceptable and askPULSE to explain publicly thereasons they are so adverse tospeaking to the trade union? PULSE management have

stated that no member of staffhave approached them aboutTrade Union membership. This isnot surprising as NIPSA believesthat this is the case because staffare now well aware of PULSE’shostile attitude to Unions.NIPSA will be contacting PULSE

management in GreenvaleLeisure Centre shortly to requesta meeting seeking discussionson the adoption of a positive ap-proach to trade union recognitionat their operation at Greenvale. Itis unacceptable that an organisa-tion wholly funded by publicmoney, including its profit,should take an openly hostile atti-tude to the right to workers to or-ganise.

NIPSA is appalled to learn thatthe newly created Director ofTransformation of the HousingExecutive will receive a salary of£142,000 plus relocation andtravel costs of up to £15,000 perannum. This is at a time when staff

have yet to receive any increasein their pay.Alison Millar, Deputy General

Secretary said: “At a time of pub-lic sector pay restraint it is unbe-lievable that the person who hasbeen offered the post will be paidcirca £50,000 per annum morethan existing Director level postsin the Housing Executive plus ac-commodation and travel costs. Ifthis individual applied through

open competition for a post inNorthern Ireland on a substantialsalary – then why should the taxpayer ultimately pay their accom-modation and travel costs of upto £15,000 per annum.“In addition staff in the Housing

Executive have not received anypay increase since 2009 and thisyear, having been awarded ameagre 1% pay increase, haveyet to receive their contractualentitlement.“For NIHE staff the DSD and

DFP are insisting that staff can-not receive their due increasesuntil it is approved by both De-partments and signed off by theFinance Minister.”

NIPSA acknowledged the measureof progress made in talks with theEducation Minister late in Septem-ber in respect of a number of payrelated issues.Assistant Secretary, Paddy Mackel

said: “At the meeting on MondayTrade Union Side made it clear to theMinister that the on-going delays re-garding payment of increments tostaff was totally unacceptable and ourmembers could no longer be ex-pected to wait indefinitely for whatthey were contractually entitled to. Inaddition TUS also highlighted theplight of members in Voluntary Gram-mar and Integrated Schools who hadstill to receive payment of the £250 toeligible staff for 2010/11 and 2011/12.

“It is to be welcomed that the Minis-ter acknowledged the valuable contri-bution our members make in theEducation sector and we acknowl-edge the steps he has put in place toresolve the problems, including estab-lishing measures to guarantee thatthere will be no repeat of this situationin future years.“However despite a commitment

from the Minister that payments willbe made without further unnecessarydelay, NIPSA remains extremely dis-appointed that a timescale for pay-ment has not been provided to ourmembers. The views of members willnow be sought to help determinewhat further response will be made”

NIPSA has warned that privatisa-tion is to be stepped up as part ofthe out workings of TransformingYour Care programme, a pro-gramme endorsed by MinisterPoots, the NI Executive and theHealth and Social Care Board.At the September meeting of the

HCSB in Derry, NIPSA who repre-sent over 9000 members in the So-cial Work and Social Care grades,organised a rally in opposition to thecontinued threatened proposed clo-sures of residential homes. Kevin McCabe, NIPSA Assistant

Secretary said: “The HSCB travel toDerry to conduct one of theirmonthly public meetings as part ofour continued opposition to the pro-posed closure of statutory Residen-

tial Homes we have sought speakingrights with the Board to engage andascertain from them how they nowpropose to move on this issue givena decision by the Minister back inMay 2013 to halt this process butallow the HSCB to advance this mat-ter on his behalf. NIPSA is under noillusions that the plan fundamentallyhas not changed and that homes, ifnot all, but a majority will close.“NIPSA has organised a rally at

this Board meeting to highlight ourongoing concerns about the plight ofour elderly population who still runthe risk of being impacted by furthercuts in the Health Service, in thiscase the threat of being evicted fromtheir residential homes".

Union welcomes council membership recognitionsupport at leisure centre

Some progress made on payissues for Education staff

£142,000 payplus £15,000perks for newNIHE boss is APPALLING

Privatisaition of residentialhomes stepped up: warning

Greenvale Leisure Centre


NIPSA has issued an alert to members of the lat-est scam from financial charlatans sometimes re-ferred to as “Pensions Liberation”. This involves the early release of pension savings

from an occupational pension scheme.Members will be aware of the media/press adver-

tisements to release the equity value in homes, thesedeals represent very poor financial returns for theloss of equity. The latest scam from financial charla-tans refers to ‘early release’ of pension funds, some-times referred to as ‘pension liberation’.

What is pension liberation?Pension liberation also known as ‘pension loans’

and ‘pension scams’, is a transfer of a scheme mem-ber’s pension savings to an arrangement that willallow them to access their funds before the age 55.In rare cases – such as terminal illness – it is possi-

ble to access funds before age 55 from a currentpension scheme. For the majority, promises of earlycash will be bogus and are likely to result in serioustax bills.All pension schemes have rules about when and

how you can take your pension benefits – this is tokeep your money safe for your retirement.Because pension savings get tax relief to encour-

age people to save for their retirement there are alsotax rules about when you can take money from yourpension pot. Normally you can’t access your pension

before you reach age 55 and you can’t take a loanfrom your pension savings.Even if you’ve reached 55 there are still rules as to

how you can take your pension pot without being li-able to a tax charge.If you break these rules you’ll be charged 55 per

cent tax. And if you don’t tell HMRC about it in goodtime, you may have to pay penalties on top.

When can pension liberation become fraud?

Pension liberation can be illegal where membersare misled about key consequences of entering intoone of these arrangements. This could be becausethey’re not informed of the tax consequences, feesinvolved or how the remainder of their pension sav-ings are invested.Pension liberation can result in tax charges and

penalties of more than half the value of a member’spension savings, and those being targeted are usu-ally not being told about these potential tax implica-tions.

How are individuals targeted?An increasing number of companies are targeting

savers claiming that they can help them take theirpension cash early. Individuals may be targetedthrough websites, mass texting or through cold calls.Individuals should be very wary about giving out in-

formation in response to a text or cold call. Theyshould always make sure that they know who theyare dealing with.These charlatan finance companies are largely tar-

geting public servants, via various means they willhave determined that the person is a public servantand therefore in all likelihood a member of a publicservice pension scheme.NILGOSC has recently seen a 50% increase in

pension transfer requests, where pension schememembers appear to have been promised early re-lease of their pension benefits if they transfer themout of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Thisis known as pension liberation fraud and normally in-volves the transfer of a member’s pension fund intorisky investment funds, frequently based overseas.

What’s the catch?Converting a pension into cash might sound very at-tractive to people who urgently need money. How-ever, if something sounds too good to be true, itinvariably is.n A member may be poorer in retirement.n A member may be hit by unexpectedly high fees.n A member may be misled as to the consequencesof the transfer.n A member may be hit with significant charges byHM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Alert over pensionliberation scheme

NIPSA resists movesto downgradeworker protectionsATTACKS on NIPSA members are not confinedby employers’ moves to cut jobs and under-mine terms and conditions of employment. TheNorthern Ireland Assembly can also take deci-sions that can undermine workers’ rights.NIPSA, through the Northern Ireland Committee

of ICTU, is challenging potential plans by the De-partment of Employment and Learning (DEL) thaterode the right of workers to claim unfair dismissal. In Great Britain, legislative changes brought in a

year ago mean that workers there have to havetwo years continuous service before they canclaim unfair dismissal to the employment tribunals.

Also the period required by an employer to con-sult with unions over redundancies has been cut.This makes it easier for employers across thewater to make workers redundant.These are devolved matters in Northern Ireland

and the trade union movement is currently resist-ing the introduction of these detrimental changesto the rights of workers and trade unions here.There is also an attempt by DEL to dilute the

provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protec-tion of Employees) Regulations (TUPE). These regulations provide some protection for

employees, including those in the public sector,

where a privatisation of function takes place. DEL has conducted a consultation with the aim

of removing what it terms “gold plating “ from theTUPE regulations. A NIPSA source said: “This is an attack on the

protections available to workers and is being resis-ted by NIPSA, working through the broader tradeunion movement in Northern Ireland.“The dilution of the TUPE regulations will also

make it easier for public sector work to be out-sourced to the private and voluntary sectors andour interventions on this issue will make it moredifficult for work and jobs to be privatised.”

IT’S ASCAM!

NIPSA Reports: Special Edition

Documents

Transcript of NIPSA Reports: Special Edition