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PCS union awarded £3m in damages after government's ‘failed union busting’ attempt

THE PUBLIC and Commercial Services union (PCS) won a “major victory” today after the government agreed to cough up a whopping £3 million in damages over its “failed union-busting attempt” over check-off.

The government has agreed to the out-of-court settlement with PCS following a 2015 decision to stop the checkoff system in the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

Under check-off, a worker’s union membership fees are automatically deducted from their pay packets.

The union reacted aggressively against the situation, which they believed was an unlawful move designed to target the union by drastically reducing its income in a short space of time.

Although PCS managed to successfully sign up a majority of members to direct debit subscriptions, the move cut the union's income overnight.

Union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is an unprecedented, multimillion-pound compensation payment by a government to a trade union.

“The removal of check-off was politically motivated, aimed at undermining the union’s ability to defend its members’ jobs and to effectively oppose the Tory government’s devastating austerity programme.

“Instead of negotiating with the union properly, ministers thought it more expedient to unlawfully target us financially.

“We will continue to pursue claims for damages in every major government department going forward.”

The PCS labelled the move “a failed union-busting attempt” and is continuing to pursue pay-outs from other government departments for damages following the withdrawal of check-off.

Shadow cabinet office minister Jon Trickett said: “This ruling nails the lie that the government is acting out of necessity when it repeatedly seeks to attack trade unions.

“It is plainly a political decision and part of a wider agenda to drive down pay and conditions at work.

“It is clear the Tories will stop at nothing, including breaching fundamental legal rights of dedicated people who work hard to serve the public.

“The union is absolutely right to campaign against austerity and cuts to public services, and was right to fight this unlawful attack on its finances.”

The DWP had not commented at the time of going to press.

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