I’ve worked in HMRC since 2001. A lifelong committed socialist I’ve been a union member since day one and have been a PCS Rep for over 20 years. Prior to that I was a NIPSA union member when I worked in the Northern Ireland civil service.

I am an ardent socialist and equality campaigner. I come from a long family history of trade unionism, with many of my family working for the Post Office and Royal Mail, going back more generations that I can count, and holding various position in the CWU. I have been brought up with a strong ethic for trade unionism, so becoming a rep was never in question.

I come from a proud working-class background and was brought up to consider all person equal regardless of status or grade. I have a strong belief that everyone deserves the same treatment, and everyone in society is equal. This has inspired me to have a passion for equalities work and this has always been something I have focused on in my trade union career.

I am proud of the impact the LU led HMRC GEC has contributed to the fight for members rights, and I am proud of the part I have played as a member of this GEC. Beating the 50% threshold in recent ballots, successfully delivering targeted action, and securing significant benefits to our members, is something we as trade union members should be proud of.

I am proud and yet disappointed to be the only Northern Ireland Rep on either the HMRC GEC. I am proud to represent Northern Ireland and campaign for the rights of members in Northern Ireland.  I believe it is important that every region is represented at a national level within PCS, it is important we represent all our members, and a strong regional representation will make a stronger union.

I have held positions at office, branch, and national level. I’m a member of the Northern Ireland Branch having held various positions (ULR, Branch Chair, H&S Rep and Disability and Carers Rep).  I have previously served on various national committees and currently the HMRC GEC.

I became a floor rep in 2003, becoming Office Chair in 2006. I’ve also been a H&S rep as I have found this supported my work in equalities. I continue to work as a personal case worker as I believe this is something that is the fundamental back bone to any trade union role. I am grateful for this as it keeps me grounded and in touch with members and allows me to channel members needs into real change.

I am the current Disability and Carers Reps on my branch, a role that did not exist but one that I campaigned to have introduced. This was something that was inspired by the personal cases I saw on the ground and my own personal experience.  This role has allowed me to organise and develop a number of training sessions, including this year an invisible disability workshop. The work I have done on disability is some of the work I’m most proud off as I have seen it impact the real lives of people and seen a genuine benefits to members lives.

Before joining the HMRC Group Executive Committee, I had the pleasure of serving on the Group Women’s Advisory Committee and the Disabled Members Advisory Committee as different times. This allowed me to continue my passion for equalities and make real impactful change. Both committees inspired me to stand and subsequently be elected to the GEC to continue my fight for members rights.

I am also an active member of the PCS Regional Committee for Ireland and represent the region on PCS’s National Women’s Forum and PCS National Disability Forum. 

I’m an active member of ICTU (Irish Congress of Trade Unions) and represent PCS on the ICTU Women’s Committee and Disability Committee.  I’ve had the pleasure for the last number of years to represent PCS at the ICTU National Women’s Conference, this has allowed me to actively campaign for progression of women in the trade union movement and also wider society.

Being a disabled members I am also actively involved in the campaign to progress disabled members and the fight against ableism.

I am proud to have played a part in everything LU has achieved, and I hope to continue to be part of that fight.

I am standing for re-election for the GEC because as an active personal-caseworker, I understand issues our members face, if re-elected to GEC I’ll fight to ensure the GEC is closely linked to membership on the ground, addressing their concerns.

Equalities have suffered the biggest impact of ongoing changes within HMRC. Disabled members, carers, ethnic minorities, and staff in lower grades have suffered the most due to introduced/proposed changes. If re-elected I will fight to protect our most vulnerable members and improve existing terms and conditions.

The GEC should represent all members, throughout the country. Members in Northern Ireland have lacked representation at national level previously, leading to disengagement as they believe their issues aren’t heard. This is something I’d like to address and ask LU members to support my goal. This would give me the opportunity to promote LU within the region, increasing membership.

LU is currently under attack, it’s more important than ever that LU presents a united voice which I believe a strong regional representation of all members will deliver.

Thank you for reading my election statement and I ask that when the time comes you take the opportunity to support LU comrades in upcoming elections, to allow LU to fight for you and every member the union.

Thank you.