The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) is preparing to ballot its members at the pensions administration firm MyCSP to decide whether they should take strike action.

The union claimed in a statement that MyCSP is “refusing to acknowledge” PCS as the recognised trade union for staff, despite PCS having several legacy staff who Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE)d over from the civil service.

The union said it has become “essential” for PCS to challenge the employer as MyCSP staff are due to TUPE again to Capita in December 2025.

Additionally, the statement said that PCS and MyCSP have disputed recognition for a long time but recently it has been made clear that PCS will not formally be involved in TUPE talks, despite previous assurances.

Instead, MyCSP has asked for nominations for employee representatives and has agreed to keep PCS informed, which the union said was “unacceptable” to its members.

It stated that PCS gave MyCSP five days to change its mind, allowing PCS into TUPE talks and agreeing to voluntary recognition, however, MyCSP responded that PCS is not recognised.

However, staff in MyCSP are continuing to join PCS and it will soon be submitting a claim for recognition through the Central Arbitration Committee.

The postal ballot for industrial action opens on 28 May 2025, and after it closes, PCS will consider the next steps, including sustained industrial action and a potential claim through the legal system.

MyCSP administers the civil service pensions arrangements on behalf of the Cabinet Office and provides pensions to over 1.5 million people.

Pensions Age has contacted MyCSP and its majority owner, Equiniti, for comment, as well as the Cabinet Office.

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