I am proud to seek your support again for the role of National Vice President, having served members as Branch Secretary, Culture Group President, South West Regional Chair, South West TUC Chair, and National Vice President this past year. In every role, I have put members first: defending jobs, pay and conditions, and ensuring PCS remains active, visible and effective in every workplace.

We must focus on the serious and ongoing challenges we face as a union: below-inflation pay offers, job cuts, office closures and damaging restructures. We must respond by organising, recruiting and engaging members at every level, and by building a sustainable fighting fund so we are always ready to act when members decide. Strong workplaces, confident reps and a well-organised membership must remain at the heart of our strategy.

I have been honoured to stand alongside members on picket lines across the union, including at Tate, the British Library and MOPAC. I have supported members through disputes, individual cases, reorganisations, TUPE transfers and recognition campaigns -helping to secure real improvements and protect members at work. I believe visible, practical solidarity is essential to building confidence and winning disputes.

Equality is central to everything I do. As lead of the National Disabled Members Forum, I have worked with members to deliver events and resources on carers’ rights, flexible working, reasonable adjustments, migraines and neurodiversity – ensuring disabled members are supported and empowered to shape our union. I have been central to the revival of the South West Women’s Network where we have helped to rebuild spaces for women to organise, connect and lead.

With the new Employment Rights Bill, the need for an informed, trained and organised membership has never been greater. Building solidarity beyond PCS strengthens our ability to win for our members and my experience as South West TUC Chair has reinforced how vital strong networks, political awareness and solidarity are in preparing us for the challenges ahead and using the tools available to us to their full extent.

Our union must reflect the diversity of our membership across sectors, regions and nations. Alongside pay and job security, members face issues such as enforced office attendance, workload pressures and workplace safety. We must listen, consult widely, and act on what members tell us, ensuring every voice is heard and every workplace is represented.

We need to put members before factionalism. The Democracy Alliance has delivered on its commitments – strengthening our union’s industrial focus, democracy and campaigning voice. With your support, we will continue that work – building a stronger, more democratic, and more effective PCS that delivers for every member.