I have been active in PCS and its predecessor unions all my career, and a PCS Rep for many years. I have carried out roles both within the HSE & ONR National Branch and at the Public Sector Group. I believe it is vital we engage with members to seek their views when deciding what PCS policies should be and when negotiating on their behalf. 

I am a passionate anti-fascist, environmental and animal rights activist, having participated in and supported numerous national and local campaigns for many years.

Living and working in London I have been impacted by numerous office closures and moves and have used my experience when negotiating on behalf of members.  Over the years I’ve represented many members dealing with their individual casework.  I’ve also been a lead lay negotiator with my employer on issues including pay; T&C’s; learning & development; equality and office closures/moves.  This year I designed and ran a stress survey for members in my branch, as part of our campaign to tackle work place stress.

I’m seeking election because I believe I have the skills and experience to represent you and having keenly followed the NEC from the sidelines I now  feel ready to step up and help shape and deliver the work of PCS at a national level.

Moving forward with the new Labour Government it is important we have a united leadership.  We cannot have another 12 months of division. The Democracy Alliance previously raised the profile of our union to an all-time high engaging with members in all branches, regions and home nations.  We seek consensus, believing that is the only way we can win for members.  

PCS PRIORITIES:  

We need to maintain pressure on the Government to improve the working standards of our members, to redress the harms done to us by previous tory regimes. The Government has said it is seeking partnership with Trade Unions on it’s Make Work Pay agenda – let’s seek to make work pay for our members.

We need push for consistent pay ranges across all government departments and agencies – including London weighting  as this has not been addressed for many years and is impacting cost of living standards for London-based members. 

We need to make it clear that it is wrong for the Government as an employer to employ thousands of low-paid members who have to use food-banks to get by, and have to have their salary increased just to keep up with the national minimum wage.

Let us take a look at how terms and conditions vary across our bargaining units and seek to harmonise upwards.

I would like us to open discussion with Cabinet Office to understand the current status of  Places for Growth. In a number of Public Sector Group Branches jobs are no longer advertised with London as a location making it impossible for members to change jobs on level transfer or promotion. I believe we need to negotiate  to maintain jobs and career opportunities for members living and working in London whilst also ensuring the government presence in the regions and devolved nations continues to grow.

Building for a  new national dispute will be critically important as we look ahead.  A new dispute needs to address our members key concerns and have their buy-in. Conversations needs to happen so we can organise and build a strong union and be ready for any future ballot. The current levy should be halted immediately because we do not have a live mandate and I believe it is now an  impediment to recruitment and retention of members and could affect debate around any new campaigns.

I ask for your support of the Democracy Alliance candidates.  We are committed to building a progressive union that works together around our shared values and goals.