I am asking for support to stand for election in 2024 as DWP Group Vice President.

I have been a member of PCS and its predecessor unions for 43 years and I am employed in a Jobcentre in Sunderland.

 It has been an honour to be a rep in our union for almost 25 years and during that time I have occupied several roles in PCS at Group level including Women’s advisory, GEC member, Group Organiser and 4 years as a Group Vice President.

I am currently the Departmental Trade Union Side Chair, so I am able to use my experience and knowledge of DWP in consultation and negotiation across all areas including personnel, health and safety, equality and changes the DWP want to implement. I am proud of changes the DTUS team has made during this time that has ensured safety and no detriment to our members across many areas. Experienced DWP Group reps such as Angela Grant, Ian Pope, Bridget Corcoran and Carol Revell to name but a few who have worked extremely hard for all members.

My role as Branch Secretary, Regional Trade Union Side member and Assistant Regional DWP Secretary allows me to fully support members in personal casework up to ET level with an excellent success rate and undertaking the NE facility time SPOC role ensures that I can also fully support reps with the employer relations framework if any issues occur.

If elected I pledge to:

• Use my experience to work to protect and better terms and conditions including fighting for the correct staffing levels and workloads for all our members in DWP with permanent jobs so that members can provide a safe and effective benefits system for society.

• To work on the DWP GEC alongside the NEC by taking full part in the 2024 National Pay Campaign fighting for the pay we deserve for members and their families to live in dignity with a wage that is fair for the job that we do in the public sector.

• To utilise my health and safety knowledge, training and experience across all consultations and negotiations to ensure all DWP environments are safe and healthy workplaces whilst using my knowledge to support members in personal casework.

• To work with all operational advisory teams, branches, regions and countries on consultation and negotiations whilst ensuring good communications are in place and escalations are undertaken quickly when needed for our members.

• I value equality for everyone, and I will continue to work towards full inclusion for all at every level in society. I will ensure all change is equality impacted and I will work with other unions and organisations with the same agendas as PCS promoting full solidarity and support to them via all routes including my Trades Council.

I am very proud of all our activists who returned the historical National Campaign Pay ballot result in 2023 as the amount of hard work to reach this achievement was  immense in the largest department and I fully understand if elected to Vice President that I will again play a lead role alongside my comrades in galvanising the support and membership to ensure DWP members are again at the forefront of the National Campaign and its strategy.

A strategy that our members support and deserve that I will continue to fully support.

I believe that the LU team has been dedicated and passionate about protecting our members terms conditions and safety and will, when elected continue to fight for our membership in everything that is required.

I am proud to have played my part in every role I have occupied and hope to continue the work for our membership as a Group Vice President in 2024 alongside Angela Grant as DWP Group President and the rest of the LU candidates standing.

I ask that you read all the statements of those standing for election and re-election in 2024 and consider voting for all LU colleagues standing as a great team moving forward in strength for you as a member of PCS.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Please vote in the election for the LU candidates who will support you in DWP.

Marie