The Democracy Alliance (DA) has once again secured a majority on the National Executive Committee (NEC), after a disastrous twelve months with the Coalition for Change at the helm. This result is not only a decisive rejection of the division and stagnation created by our opponents, but the large majority gives the DA a clear mandate for Left Unity’s programme of fighting for members’ rights, pay, and conditions. This victory should give us a renewed confidence that members see the importance of a leadership committed to building workplace strength, defending public services, and standing firmly against government attacks. We thank all ADC delegates who played a part in delivering this victory and pledge to continue working with every activist to deliver real change for our members.
Fighting the Far Right and Defending Democracy
As the far right grows more visible and emboldened – in our communities, in workplaces, and across social media – PCS Left Unity remains committed to opposing fascism, racism, and all forms of discrimination. Our response in the months ahead, as we stand in solidarity with the anti-racist movement and reaffirm our union’s proud record of promoting equality and inclusion, is crucial.
We only have to see some of the comments posted on the union’s social media channels in recent weeks. It’s important we reaffirm our commitment to tackling racism and fascism, wherever it raises its head, at ADC this week, and reject the Labour Government’s alarming learch to the right.
Resisting Austerity and the PCS Levy
With the possible return of real-terms pay cuts, job threats, and attacks on the services our members deliver, the government’s austerity 2.0 agenda is hitting hard. PCS Left Unity supports the need to return to a national campaign, that unites members and activists around a set of coherent, common demands that all groups can get behind. The failed attempts by our opponents to unite groups around a disparate shopping list of demands, has been a disaster, and any industrial response needs full member engagement.
The temporary levy, voted in by previous Annual Delegate Conferences, and supported by members did its job at the time in paying for sustained targeted strike action, that hit the employer hard, and reduced the financial burden on members. However, Left Unity fully supported the campaign to suspend the levy from September last year, in light of the NEC decision not to pursue industrial action under the national campaign and falling membership due to its retention. We also back the DA candidates pledge to refund the levy payments from September to March.
Left Unity are also clear, however, that introducing temporary levies cannot be the long-term solution to sustaining the union’s ability to fight national campaigns. We remain committed to transparency, democratic accountability, and to reviewing a permanent solution with membership support. We urge delegates and branches to, therefore, reject attempts by BLN/IL supporters, and the outgoing and defeated NEC majority, to this week get conference to support the reinstatement of the levy, and oppose all motions calling for this in favour of the LU motions overleaf.
Time to Rebuild Our Union
After last ADC’s rejection of the national organising plan, for sectarian gain, and the impact of the levy, we have much ground to make up to rebuild both membership levels across our union and our members confidence in their union. Left Unity hope that this conference overwhelmingly supports the organising plan presented to it, and we can once again re-focus on workplace organisation, member-led strategy, and unity across our employer groups.
Join Us – Strengthen the Union’s Fighting Leadership
PCS Left Unity remains the leading democratic socialist organisation in the union. We call on all members who want to build a stronger, more democratic, and united union to get involved.
PCS Left Unity 