PCS files formal disagreement with Ministry of Defence

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has formally lodged a disagreement with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over changes to the Position Mapping Procedure.

The dispute has led to the MoD temporarily withdrawing the new policy changes until the matter is resolved.

The MoD civil service HR department has been engaged in a “policy simplification process” aimed at making policies easier to understand.

The department had assured that members’ entitlements and substantive policies would remain unchanged. However, PCS has identified several detrimental changes in the post mapping policy.

The contested changes include:

• Removal of the second stage appeal
• Elimination of the option for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to attend and advise post mapping panels
• Modifications to the posts included in limited competition
• Implications on priority mover status and potential risk of redundancy

PCS, along with other unions within the MoD civil service (MCSU), filed a formal disagreement, prompting the MoD to withdraw the new policy changes to maintain the status quo as outlined in the formal disagreement policy.

PCS has advised its members and activists to verify which policy is being applied to live post-mapping and ensure adherence to the previous policy. The employer may need to withdraw any post-mapping letters issued under the disputed policy.

PCS is scheduled to meet with the MoD next week to discuss and resolve these issues.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is the eighth-largest trade union in the United Kingdom, representing a significant number of employees in UK government departments and other public bodies.