Civil service redundancy changes ‘were illegal’

10 May 10
A government move to cut civil service redundancy pay was unlawful, a high court judge has ruled
By Mark Smulian

10 May 2010

A government move to cut civil service redundancy pay was unlawful, a high court judge has ruled.

In a case brought by the PCS trade union, Mr Justice Sales ruled that the previous government should not have reduced redundancy rights accrued over time by staff. The union said this meant the new government would have to reopen negotiations over redundancy rights.

The PCS union argued that the changes to redundancy and early retirement entitlements were designed both to save the government £500m over three years and to make it easier and cheaper to cut jobs and privatise public services. Union members went on strike for three days over the issue in March, and further industrial action was suspended during the general election.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: ‘Our members in the civil and public services refused to sit back and watch their terms and conditions being ripped up in front of their eyes.

‘We have always accepted that changes are necessary but all we ever asked is that they were fair and protected those who have given loyal service.’

He warned that the union would consider further action unless it got a satisfactory response from the new government.

Richard Arthur, head of trade union law at Thompsons Solicitors, said: ‘The law says that the government can't change redundancy rights which have already accrued for civil servants unless the unions agree. PCS did not agree to the new scheme and so it was found to be unlawful.’

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