I’ve been an active member of PCS and its predecessor union for many years; and rep for more than 10 years. I’m currently the Branch Secretary for DWP Avon Branch; I’m also the Lead Equality Rep for my Branch and the Southwest Region. I am the Southwest Region rep to National Black Members Committee.

As part of Left Unity, I am proud of our record of standing up for members and the successes the Left Unity led GEC and national union have helped to achieve locally and nationally.  In DWP Left Unity have been the ones, to continue leading the campaign which has kept members safe after the coronavirus pandemic, demanding safer working in offices, more IT equipment which has enabled more members to feel safe work hybrid. Our Left Unity led GEC won risk assessments for BAME staff and Black members, this has been duplicated across many departments and other workplaces. Left Unity has a proven record on equality and is always at forefront in the fight against racism and rising Islamophobia.

I am proud to be in Left Unity under whose leadership the GEC and national union has been relentless in fighting for better terms and conditions as well as working with the national union on fair pay and protecting our pensions. Our result in the ballot demonstrated the strength and determination of our Left Unity leadership and activists. Locally it was the efforts of a core of Left Unity activists that helped the DWP Avon Branch get that mandate to act on pay, pensions, and conditions.

With this mandate reps from across the union, regardless of political alignment, have worked together throughout the campaign and delivered for members which is to everyone’s credit. We have built on this activity locally and have increase all members’ involvement and activism. New reps and advocates have come forward and we are now looking to increase our density across all sites in the branch. During the campaign we saw greater participation and activity of our members. While on our picket lines we saw involvement of newer members and those who had not been active before. All led by me and other local Left Unity activists.

It has been Left Unity leadership however which set the agenda at discussions with management, both locally and nationally. With the current cost of living crisis where we have seen our members resorting to food bank that have been set up in DWP offices. We also speak to members who are making those real-life decisions of heating or eating, for them and their families. This makes me more determined to follow our leader’s strategy in the current pay campaign. The success from this campaign has to be recognised by all, a one of payment to full time staff of £1500 or part time equivalent. More than 4% which was double the initial offer, plus arrears of holiday pay for those who have worked overtime in previous years. This has meant money in our members and non-members pockets.

I am determined to help a Left Unity led PCS secure more for members; better pay, decent pensions, our aims are simple, fairness, respect, and equal treatment in the workplace for all. It saddens me to see our members having to resort to 2nd jobs and food banks to survive We deserve far better; I am proud to work alongside leading comrades in Left Unity at DWP Group level to continue to pursue our shared aims.

I am seeking election to the DWP GEC as a member this year, to continue to fight for fairness for members and in society, and to continue to fight for our member’s rights and support my Left Unity GEC comrades

Levoy Getton