| The PCS today achieved a huge victory after forcing the government to pay £3 million to the union in damages for withdrawing the check-off of collecting subs. Ministers agreed an out of court settlement, entitling the union to damages of £3 million for abruptly stopping the system of direct deduction of union subs from government workers pay packets in 2015. The unlawful withdrawal of check-off from members in the DWP cut the union’s income overnight, although PCS went on to successfully sign up a majority of members to direct debit payment of subscriptions. The union took the government to court and won. The PCS is continuing to pursue pay-outs from other government departments for damages following check-offs withdrawal. PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is an unprecedented, multi- million pound compensation payment by a government to a trade union. The removal of checkoff 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.” |