I’ve been a PCS activist for 20 years and a member of LU since my first National Conference in 2003.  Over the years I have been a Branch Rep, Branch Organiser, Health and Safety officer, Union Learning Rep, DWP Group Executive Committee member and Ops TU Secretary.  As a member of the GEC it has also been my privilege to be able to run courses to train a number of Reps on the New Reps course and on the Personal Case’s Course.

 I am proud to be a member of a group that I believe hasn’t just shown leadership within PCS but in the wider Trade Union Movement in the last 12 months.   

 Since the start of this pandemic our LU led GEC have worked tirelessly to demand that Home Working be rolled out to keep staff safe, that offices are as safe as they possibly can be for staff who can’t work from home, to oppose extending working hours and to ensuring Work Coach empowerment.  

I firmly believe that we can never lose sight of the fact that members and their issues are why we are TU Representatives and why we need a strong Leadership so we can deliver for them.  That’s why I believe that the current LU Leadership and those who have been nominated by LU are key to our way forward, as our record shows that we can be trusted to deliver for members. 

I am therefore seeking to continue my work on the GEC along with my LU colleagues to further the fight for better pay and conditions, to ensure staff safety and to organise members in our struggle.

Recruiting new members to the union,  including those joining DWP for the first time, will be key to ensuring we build our strength and our voice for members at work.   I will work to ensure that every new entrant into the Department is not only asked to join PCS but is shown why it’s so important they are part of the fight for their interests at work. 

Only where we have good organisation and good reps speaking up for members can we continue to win concessions. I as part of Left Unity am determined to ensure we have both in DWP. 

Full Left Unity DWP nomination list