________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
_________________MP
House of Commons
Dear
RE: ADVISORY, CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATON SERVICE (ACAS)
I am writing to you as my local MP to raise my concerns about current developments
within the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) at Paddock Wood in Kent,
where I work.
ACAS has been offering its services to employers and employees for over 30 years,
during which time it has acquired a deserved reputation as an impartial and highly professional organisation. ACAS is much
respected for its contribution to good industrial relations, a contribution which is of great benefit to the UK economy. For
example, it has been estimated that ACAS conciliation in employment tribunal cases saves the tax payer at least £51 million
annually. Despite this the government has severely cut funding for ACAS which has had a devastating effect on the level and
quality of the services that we provide. Now a DTI report recommends a further cut in the ACAS budget of over 20%, forcing
ACAS to completely commercialise its advisory services and chase revenue at every opportunity, a policy that fails to recognise
the value of ACAS services and will jeopardise the impartiality of the service.
In January ACAS reduced its staffing levels by 150 staff, 16% of the total workforce. The majority of staff
cut were highly qualified and experienced front line conciliators. At the Paddock Wood office there are now 16 staff delivering
frontline services to customers compared to 24 in June 2004. Around the South East region, offices at Bedford & Funtley
have closed or are marked for closure. The inevitable consequence of this is that services to employers and employees suffer.
I hope you will support the campaign of my union the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) to protect ACAS
and would be grateful if you please raise my concerns directly with Gerry Sutcliffe MP, DTI minister responsible for ACAS,
and by signing the early day motion EDM2007. I would be happy to meet with you
to discuss this in greater detail.
Yours sincerely
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You may also wish to write to the MP in whose constituency your office is located
Greg
Clark MP
House
of Commons
Dear Mr Clark
RE: ADVISORY, CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATON SERVICE (ACAS)
I am writing to you to raise my concerns about current developments at my workplace
the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in Paddock Wood, Kent, which is in your constituency.
ACAS has been offering its services to employers and employees for over 30 years,
during which time it has acquired a deserved reputation as an impartial and highly professional organisation. ACAS is much
respected for its contribution to good industrial relations, a contribution which is of great benefit to the UK economy. For
example, it has been estimated that ACAS conciliation in employment tribunal cases saves the tax payer at least £51 million
annually. Despite this the government has severely cut funding for ACAS which has had a devastating effect on the level and
quality of the services that we provide. Now a DTI report recommends a further cut in the ACAS budget of over 20%, forcing
ACAS to completely commercialise its advisory services and chase revenue at every opportunity, a policy that fails to recognise
the value of ACAS services and will jeopardise the impartiality of the service.
In January ACAS reduced its staffing levels by 150 staff, 16% of the total workforce. The majority of staff
cut were highly qualified and experienced front line conciliators. At the Paddock Wood office there are now 16 staff delivering
frontline services to customers compared to 24 in June 2004. Around the South East region, offices at Bedford & Funtley
have closed or are marked for closure. The inevitable consequence of this is that services to employers and employees suffer.
I hope you will support the campaign of my union the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) to protect ACAS
and would be grateful if you please raise my concerns directly with Gerry Sutcliffe MP, DTI minister responsible for ACAS,
and by signing the early day motion EDM2007. I would be happy to meet with you
to discuss this in greater detail.
Yours sincerely
