PCS Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) was held in Brighton last week.

During conference we heard that Sunak had called a General Election on 4th July. This is welcome news and we were all cheered by the prospect of the end of the Tories. Hopefully this is the end of a regime which has systematically attacked working class people. There is, of course, still some concern as to whether we will actually get a change in Government and even greater concern as to whether much would actually change under Starmer.

Rwanda

By the end of conference we heard that there will be no refugees forced to board flights to Rwanda this side of the election. This is a major victory for PCS, Care for Calais, Stand Up To Racism and all the other campaigners we have worked with to resist the Tories’ brutal racism. PCS is recognised across the trade union movement for the work we have done combatting the push back policy and Rwanda deportation plan. The Left Unity-led NEC is proud of the work we have done in campaigning to stop the inhumane treatment and risk posed by the Tories immigration policies.

Several motions to conference committed the union to continue to fight against racism.

Palestine

Another key issue on which our union has given a lead in the trade union movement is support for Gaza and condemnation of the Israeli massacre. The Left Unity led NEC was among the first to issue a statement to members following the escalation of the conflict in October, condemning the violence, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful political solution to the crisis. 

At conference the NEC moved the lead motion on Gaza, one of several passed, highlighting the continued work the union is doing, supporting the student protests and, importantly, standing alongside our colleagues who work in areas which have contact with Israel. The union is looking into taking a similar stand as we have with Rwanda, supporting members who refuse to do work that could find them accused of war crimes.

Some delegates expressed disappointment that one leading IL member, sought to deflect the debate away from both the genocide in Palestine and the work of our union, by bringing anti-semitism into their contribution at ADC.

We absolutely reject the view expressed by the delegate that the position of PCS or any of the organisations we support and are affiliated to,  represent anti-semitic views, which is in fact the position promoted by some of the most hostile and right wing politicians and sections of the media. As there had been no opposition the LU NEC speaker did not have a right of reply to highlight these points, or confirm that PCS remains committed to carrying out the terms of the motion and support for the NEC’s October statement.

Delegates, including many from Left Unity, had already attend the fringe event for Palestine earlier in the week, and before the final morning of ADC, delegates gathered for a photo opportunity behind the Palestinian flag to show our solidarity with the people of Palestine. This has been shared widely.

Unfortunate developments on the conference floor

Unfortunately there were a number of setbacks for the union at conference, setbacks that the Broad Left Network, Independent Left and the Alliance for Change, considered to be victories.

We recognise that some delegates voted against the NEC and Left Unity position at times, having legitimate alternative views, however, unintentionally they found themselves supporting motions moved by organisations with a wrecking agenda.

National Campaign undermined

The National Campaign ballot saw a number of major groups unable to reach the Tory imposed 50% threshold. Despite this 62 groups representing over 19,000 members beat the threshold and have a mandate to take strike action.

The NEC emergency motion proposed to begin to discuss with these groups the leverage that existed for potential strike action and continue to build across the union our organisational and campaigning strength, leaving it for the incoming NEC to decide the detail.

Two other emergency motions, from our opponents, were moved in opposition to the NEC proposals. In different ways both proposed that the demands of the national campaign be amended. Both seeking to bring in more national, as well adding group specific demands.

LU members on the NEC, and on the conference floor, explained that this proposal would have the immediate effect of ending the strike mandate that exists for 19,000 members. Making conference aware that the union cannot lawfully amend the demands that created the trade dispute with those 60-plus employers and keep the existing mandate.

Sadly our opponents were so desperate to defeat the outgoing NEC on the conference floor, a number of delegates actually stated from the rostrum you should support either of the other conflicting motions just to defeat the NEC. This tactic to undermine the existing mandate, and the motion that was carried with the support of others, has effectively ended the campaign members have supported in successive ballots.

This has already caused outrage in some areas, with DfT reps being contacted by members who want to use their live mandate to continue their action, instead of being forced to stop.

Organising Strategy

Opponents of Left Unity, mainly from BLN and the Alliance for Change, decided to vote down the national organising strategy. This is a thorough piece of work that considered the strength of branches, proposed work to build their strength further, looked at communications techniques in the world of hybrid working, started work on “big bargaining”, and much more.

The strategy was criticised for having low expectations and being unable to deliver the organisation that we need. So instead of voting for the strategy and allowing the incoming NEC to develop and build on it, by a small majority conference voted down the NEC proposal and expressed support for a motion which commits the union to planning a new organising strategy for the next conference in 2025, though this motion didn’t get heard.

This means that the incoming NEC has no organising strategy, a baffling development. We struggle to understand how having no organising strategy is better than having one which has already increased our membership and can be improved upon. Sadly the BLN / IL / AfC delegates preferred the cheap thrill of defeating the outgoing NEC over the needs of our union and its members.

NEC meetings

Following the recent NEC elections the BLN / IL / AfC have a small majority, although Left Unity members make up the single biggest group.

The BLN / IL / AfC coalition will now have to decide how they implement a policy which they proposed, which effectively ends the existing mandate, preventing the groups with a live ballot from taking any action. They also have to try to work out how they build the union with no organising strategy to guide the full-time staff of the union.

We know that over a number of issues they are already divided. At the NEC after the ballot result the IL wanted to reballot as soon as possible, whereas the BLN have wanted to delay the ballot for some time. These tensions will no doubt come to the surface in the coming NEC meetings.

Left Unity NEC members will provide the steady hand needed in the stormy waters created by the Alliance of Chaos.

We will continue to attempt to build the National Strategy, and strengthen our union over the coming months, focusing our attention on defeating the policies of this rotten Tory government. Despite the problems the new alliance will generate, we are clear who the real enemy of our members is.

Join PCS Left Unity

Many delegates were shocked by the behaviour of the BLN / IL and their new coalition, watching them prioritise defeating the NEC on the floor of conference over the serious business of building the union.

At the LU rally on the Wednesday evening over 80 delegates gathered to hear Alex Gordon, RMT President; Martin Cavanagh, PCS President and Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary speaking about the coming general election, building the union and building the left in the union. A number of people reacted to the experience of the conference by joining Left Unity.

We will continue to campaign on the issues that matter to PCS members both within the workplace and on the wider social issues that impact us all. If you agree with us, please join PCS Left Unity.

Please join PCS Left Unity for a fighting, democratic trade union.