I am seeking re-election to the National Executive Committee (NEC). I have been a member of PCS and its predecessor union, CPSA, since 1984 when I joined the civil service working in the DHSS. Over the past 42 years I have held positions at every level of the union. I am currently DWP Group Vice President, DWP Scotland Regional Chairperson, site rep at Atlantic Quay, Glasgow, and a member of the NEC. I have also held the following position in the union: Acting National Vice President, Group Assistant Secretary, Group Executive Committee (GEC), Scotland Committee Chairperson, Branch Secretary, Branch Treasurer, Site Representative and Departmental Trade Union Side Chairperson. If re-elected to the NEC, I will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience of representing members in negotiations with the employer and defending members at a local, regional, and national level. I was first elected to the NEC in 2012, and it is a privilege that I will never take for granted. 

I am currently DWP Group Vice President with responsibility for Universal Credit, Working Age/Move to UC, Jobs and Career Service, Strategic Resourcing, Social Security Policy, Devolved Social Security, as well as being a member of the Pay Team and the Campaigns Committee. 

Levy refund – We kept our promise!

In August 2024, the “Coalition for Change” majority on the NEC continued collecting the levy, despite there being no further strike action. Furthermore, they denied members a vote on the issue. The Democracy Alliance candidates promised to put that right if elected. We have repaid members’ faith in us and kept our promise, enabling members who wished to do so, reclaim the levy. We continue to be committed to consultation on how to build a sustainable fighting fund for future action. No decision will be taken about you, without you. Despite attempting to build a consensus with the “Coalition for Change”, they have rebuffed our attempts to build unity around the issue, preferring to use it as a point of division.

Build a sustainable fighting fund

It is important that we build a sustainable fighting fund and that no decision is taken without the PCS membership having a say. Despite the Democracy Alliance attempting to build a consensus at the NEC this year with our opponents, “Coalition for Change”, we have been rebuffed in our attempts to build unity around this issue, preferring to use it as a point of division.

We will seek to build unity and consensus around the issue of a sustainable fighting fund. By voting for the Democracy Alliance candidates, you will have activists on the NEC that will put members at the heart of the union’s decision making and your interests first.

If elected with an NEC majority, we will prioritise: 

• A cost-of-living pay rise, with an inflation proofed increase plus pay restoration
• Fight any privatisation and continue to hold the government to account on their manifesto commitment to have the largest insourcing in a generation. The Civil Service Pension crisis has highlighted why this is required
• A job security agreement that gives a no compulsory redundancy guarantee and greater access to hybrid working arrangements 
• Build the strength of the union
• Promote equality and oppose all forms of discrimination

I will bring the experience of 14 years on the NEC and a determination to always represent our members as I have done in my 42 years as representative. If re-elected to the NEC, I will do what I have always done, put members first and foremost at all times and not what a political party tells me to do.

I would urge everyone to read the statements of every Democracy Alliance candidate and vote for them to provide a strong, experienced and determined NEC leadership who will always put members first and who have a track record of delivering.