Members Update – Diligenta

Friday, September 28th, 2018

As we approach the 1 October,  the Unite collective and/or individual representation (depending on your location) you currently benefit from transfers with you. Unite has a strong, respected presence in Diligenta and a number of representatives are also transferring on Monday – this will ensure consistency and that the terms & conditions we negotiated on your behalf remain.

Your Unite reps within Diligenta from 1 October 2018 are: 

Jan Ciepkiewicz – Lead Rep
Joy Wellstead
Henri Noakes
Suzelle French

You can still contact Unite@Prudential.co.uk in the short term to obtain guidance and a rep will contact you.

We wish you all the best with Diligenta.

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Unite TUPE update w/c 03/09/2018

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

TUPE and Diligenta
We have now concluded our 5^th consultation meeting which took place on Wednesday 29^th August.

Following on from our previous emails, the situation as it stands is:

What do we now know:

Reading Location – all in scope individuals will move to Kennet Place (Building A) after 1 October 2018. However, there are some challenges around seating so Diligenta will occupy a floor in Building B.

Sharesave Compensation – whilst we are still disappointed with the level of compensation for those in scope of the TUPE we are pleased that the payment of £250 (less tax & NI) will now be paid in March 2019 rather than October 2019.

Carry forward Holidays  – Diligenta have confirmed that you will be able to carry over 5 days holiday each year. There is no time limit in which to take these days during the following year. We are pleased that Diligenta have also confirmed that if you have elected 33 days holiday going forward, you will still be able to carry forward a maximum of 5 days which will give you 38 days holiday.

Prudential Flexible Benefits– if you selected critical illness, dental cover etc. then it is important to note that this cover will stop on 30 September 2018. You will have access to the Diligenta ‘Perks at Work’ programme on 1 October which you can use to select alternative cover should you want to. There will be a snapshot of benefits available in the next transition bulletin.

Childcare Vouchers – the only change to the childcare vouchers is a change to the provider. Diligenta will be contacting anyone who currently has these vouchers in September to let them know the details

Bank Holidays – Diligenta have confirmed that those individuals based in Craigforth will observe the English Bank Holidays going forward. We are disappointed that our Scottish members will lose their two floating days in favour of fixed days, but we do understand the rationale for this.

Next Steps

Following our members meeting on Monday 3 September and the progress of the consultations we are now in a position to formally close the TUPE consultation . This doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to raise any questions (we will continue to do so on your behalf) but it does mean that Diligenta can start communicating terms and conditions to you.

If you have any questions or would like some clarification on any aspect of the TUPE consultation then please contact Unite@prudential.co.uk.

Thanks

Claire Williams
Ellen Looby
Jan Ciepkiewicz

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UNITE WINS RECOGNITION AT TCS 21/08/18

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Unite wins trade union recognition at TCS  

Unite the union has today (Tuesday 21 August) won trade union recognition at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Ltd through the Central Arbitration Committee. The recognition covers staff who transferred to TCS from Prudential in May 2018. 

Unite has welcomed the CAC decision following a strong campaign to ensure that the trade union was not derecognised following the TUPE transfer of 157 staff.  

Ian Methven, Unite regional officer said: “Unite the union welcomes the Central Arbitration Committee decision to recognise that an employer cannot simply derecognise an independent trade union following the TUPE transfer of staff. 

“The TCS workforce who transferred from Prudential have today won their campaign to maintain their collective bargaining rights and to have a strong voice at work through Unite.

“The union condemns the TCS tactic of attempting to use non-UK workers to undermine the collective bargaining group membership levels. Unite was successful in showing that those employees were on TCS contracts and therefore not included in this bargaining group.”

Unite is now looking forward to ensuring members of the union have a strong voice at work within TCS.

Unite submitted the application to the CAC on 25 May 2018. Unite the union was able to prove that the majority of the bargaining unit oppose the de-recognition of the union.

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Unite TUPE update w/c 13 August 2018

Monday, August 20th, 2018

TUPE and Diligenta

We have now concluded our 4^th consultation meeting which took place on Thursday 9^th August in Craigforth.

Following on from our previous emails, the situation as it stands is:

What do we now know: 

Reading Location – all in scope individuals will move to Kennet Place (Building A) after 1 October 2018.

Performance Management – we have reviewed the Diligenta’s Performance Management process and Diligenta also shared their manager’s guidelines for salary increases and promotions. We are very comfortable with both the performance management process and the guidelines.

Professional Qualifications and Study Policy – we are very comfortable with the examples of qualification that were shared with us last week and the policy is very similar to the Prudential policy.

Absence Management – we have reviewed the current policy and are comfortable with this. Diligenta are currently reviewing this policy and this will be shared with us once it has been updated.

Time off when you need it – we are pleased that Diligenta have now confirmed that where an individual is undertaking IVF treatment then that individual can take up to 14 days paid leave in a 12 month period. This is similar to the current Prudential policy.

Flexitime Policy – for those areas where flexitime is still used then this will move across to Diligenta however,  they will review this in the future to ensure that it’s fit for purpose and their business.

Holidays – any extra days you buy will be deducted from gross pay. Although Diligenta do not operate salary sacrifice for bought holidays there should be no financial detriment to individuals.

Car Parking

Reading – individuals who currently have a permanent space including those with a Blue Badge, will continue to have this post 1 October 2018 (the allocated space may change). Diligenta will review the car parking policy once they know how many spaces they have and who in the TUPE population are eligible to be on the waiting list under the current Reading parking policy. We have suggested that although not an ideal system the current way of allocating spaces is the fairest it can be and would like to see this continued.

Craigforth – there will be no changes to parking or the buses post 1 October 2018.

Prudential Staff Discounts – the opportunity to open an M&G ISA with a waiver on the initial charge will continue for a further 6 months to 31 March 2019 – you can use the following link for more information and it is the easiest way for you to  open one prior to transfer with only £1: (http://intranet.pru.local/homepage_content/prudential_uk_news/2018_quarter_one/february/mandg_isa_allowance/?view=Standard&gsasro=3&gsaq=M%26G%20Isa)  

Final Salary (DB) Scheme

Final Prudential/Diligenta proposal for DB (Prudential & Scot Am) members (9 August 2018):

During the meeting we spoke directly to Roddy and highlighted the feelings of being let down by Prudential despite loyalty to the Company and length of service. We did request an extra year of tapering for DB members but unfortunately this has been rejected. We do know that in fairness to all employees there will not be an option to add extra years to the DB scheme for those members, we are disappointed but understand the rationale for this and also the final DC offering for DB members.  This is a better outcome for all our members than other areas  e.g. Capita, PGDS who have gone through the TUPE process recently and although not ideal does show movement from the original Prudential and Diligenta position especially in light of TUPE legislation.

We do understand this will be disappointing to some members but we are comfortable with this and that all members (whether DC or DB) have got the best outcome.

Diligenta will be holding numerous pension workshops in conjunction with Aviva in all locations in August and September so it is important that those individuals in scope to transfer attend and gain a better insight into their DC scheme, including how you can manage the fund(s) where the Diligenta (and your own) contributions will be invested in.

Sharesave – all in scope individuals will receive a payment of £250 (less tax & NI) on the anniversary of their move to Diligenta – 1 October 2019. This is in respect of removing the opportunity to take part in future sharesaves. This is Prudential and Diligenta’s final position however in view of the feedback received from members regarding the level of compensation and the delay in receiving this payment we have asked that this is made earlier than 1 October 2019. We will update you when we receive a response.

IBIS Lottery & IBIS Club – Diligenta have confirmed that they won’t be able to deduct these payments from your salary after 1 October. If you wish to continue with your IBIS membership then please print and complete the attached direct debit mandate and return to the IBIS Club.  For those wishing to continue with the lottery, please print & complete the IBIS Prize Draw Application Form. You can then scan and send to  prize_draw@btconnect.com.

Next Steps

As this is peak holiday time with a number of reps and Unite officers on holiday we will arrange a members meeting in the coming weeks but this may not be until w/c 28 August.

If you have any questions in the meantime then please contact Unite@prudential.co.uk.

Thanks

Claire Williams

Ellen Looby

Jan Ciepkiewicz

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Consultation Update – W/C 16 July

Wednesday, July 18th, 2018

TUPE and Diligenta

On Friday we visited the Diligenta office in Peterborough for our consultation meeting. We received a tour of the office and also got the opportunity to question some individuals who have undergone a TUPE and those that joined Diligenta separately. We took some real positives from those individuals and the key for us is that they all felt they were rewarded fairly for what they do.

Following on from our previous email, the situation as it stands is:

What do we now know:

Salary Increases – The Diligenta approach is to award an across the board increase for all employees following negotiation with Unite. It has been confirmed that there is also a pot to award increases throughout the year to reward performance and address anomalies. The bonus (where payable) will also be used to reward individual performance.

Prudential Bonus 2018 – we have agreed that the half year rating should apply. However, where an individual has been rated lower than meeting a review of these individuals performance will be undertaken prior to 1 October to ensure that if that individual ‘would’ be meeting/meeting by year end then the rating may be changed accordingly. Following conversations regarding this element – we are comfortable with this approach.

Prudential Staff Discounts – these will cease on transfer to Diligenta on 1 October 2018. However, following our request, the opportunity to open an M&G ISA with a waiver on the initial charge will continue for a further 6 months to 31 March 2019 – you can use the following link for more information and it is the easiest way for you to  open one prior to transfer with only £1: (http://intranet.pru.local/homepage_content/prudential_uk_news/2018_quarter_one/february/mandg_isa_allowance/?view=Standard&gsasro=3&gsaq=M%26G%20Isa)  

Carers Policy – we are very disappointed that Diligenta don’t currently have this in place however their Compassionate & Dependants Leave policies can be used for this purpose.  They have no plans at this time to introduce one, but post transfer, Unite reps will make this an agenda item to discuss further with Diligenta.

Final Salary (DB) Scheme – Diligenta initially offered a 12% non-contributory DC scheme for the transferring DB members. We were encouraged by the non-contributory element however the proposed employer contribution was not acceptable. We submitted counter proposals to both Diligenta and Prudential as follows:

Unite Counter Proposal to Diligenta

These individuals are losing approximately 25% of their current total reward with no certainty that a DC fund will perform anywhere near as well as their DB pension.  In view of the significant financial detriment , long service and loyalty to those individuals in the DB scheme transferring to Diligenta, we would like to propose the following:

24% non-contributory DC scheme

This population will be key in ensuring a smooth transition following the transfer to Diligenta as their skills and knowledge need to be retained and also, you will have a reasonably happy workforce. This would mitigate the risk of these individuals leaving as the ‘golden handcuffs’ have been removed.

Unite Counter Proposal to Prudential

•  Additional years DB contributions added to their DB pension (based on their final Prudential salary) to offset the loss of the scheme to paid by Prudential, plus the Diligenta DC non-contributory scheme.
• Removal of the reduction in accrued benefits if DB pension is taken early e.g. 55.

 
Revised Diligenta Proposal (4^th July 2018)

1 October 2018 – 30 September 2020      14% Employer Contribution

1 October 2020 onwards                             12% Employer Contribution plus 1% if you make a contribution of 3% or more = 13% Employer Contribution & 3% Employee Contribution

Further Revised Prudential/Diligenta proposal for DB (Prudential & Scot Am) members (13^th July 2018):

It is important to note that this is being fully funded by Prudential whereas the previous proposal from Diligenta was only 50% funded by Prudential. We do know that our proposal to add extra years into the DB (Prudential & Scot Am) scheme and removing the early retirement reduction was taken seriously.

We will discuss the revised offer from Prudential and Diligenta in our members meeting and this may form part of a separate communication.

Sharesave – all in scope individuals will receive a payment of £250 (less tax & NI) on the anniversary of their move to Diligenta – 1 October 2019. This is in respect of removing the opportunity to take part in future sharesaves.

Long Service Awards – We are really pleased that at our request, Prudential has confirmed that those individuals who have achieved 35 years’ service but have yet to reach 40 years with Prudential will receive the Diligenta long service award of £350 (vouchers) on the 1^st anniversary of their move to Diligenta – 1 October 2019.

Next Steps

There is a members meeting TODAY at 3.30pm in The Avenue and our Unite Regional Officer, Ian Methven will be in attendance. For those not able to attend, we can also be collate your feedback on the revised DB (Prudential & Scot Am) proposal by email to Unite@prudential.co.uk.

For those in the retained part of CS&I or Wealth, we will also be available to listen to any concerns or issues you wish to raise regarding the processes you are going through.

If you are unable to attend the members meetings, are not based in Reading or have any questions then please contact Unite@prudential.co.uk.

Thanks

Claire Williams
Ellen Looby
Jan Ciepkiewicz

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