I am seeking election to the NEC based on 26 years’ experience as a union activist, Socialist and Left Unity member.

I have been a union member in PCS and CPSA for 44 years and I am employed as an AO in a Jobcentre.

I have held posts at every level in PCS and I am currently elected to the positions of:

DWP Vice President

Departmental Trade Union side Chairperson 2023-to date

Branch Secretary DWP City of Sunderland-950 members

DWP NE Regional Assistant Secretary

Elected PCS Northern member.

I am an experienced hardworking rep that negotiates and consults at DWP level, chairing three unions including FDA and Prospect across all DWP terms, conditions, HS, estates and departmental changes.

Director level consultation is part of my Vice President role, and I have held responsibility for five directorate operational areas fighting for the correct staffing levels, workloads and ensuring correct HS and risk assessments are in place for our workplaces.

I am proud of my record supporting members in personal casework, especially in equality, and I will continue to work closely with branches, regions, countries and the union leadership organising for our members whilst leading teams of activists and advisories sharing my experience and mentoring reps to strengthen our union.

I believe the National Campaign was the correct strategy for members that made gains, but I firmly DISAGREE that the levy should be continued at present when we have no live mandate for action.

I believe that the current NEC have voted down proposals made by our GS Fran Heathcote to pause the levy and to consult members and this is clearly WRONG! Members are leaving PCS because they cannot reason with the NEC direction of continuing to pay the levy.

If elected to the NEC I will continue to oppose this direction and support our members concerns to have the levy paused.

Of course, I believe that there is more to win in 2025/26 but that this can only be achieved with a change on the NEC to work for our members interests.

I believe PCS is at the forefront of the Union Movement and I will always be proud of our work in equality and against racism in any form.

I pledge to commit to work for all members in our union at every level and with your support I will campaign for:

Fair pay and pensions

Defend jobs, services, conditions

Champion equality and diversity

Oppose compulsory redundancy and office closures!

A welfare state that delivers for all

Building the strength within our union

Please support the Democracy Alliance candidates for a strong leadership to work for you.

President – Cavanagh

Vice-Presidents – David, Green, Owens, Shafiq

NEC – Alderson, Baker, (Paula) Brown, Cahill, Corcoran, Cox, Dando, Darcan, Dwyer, Flynn, Gantschuk, Govind, Grant, Harney, Hewitt, Jamieson, Lander you, Lawther, McDonough, McGachey, Marshall, Maxwell, Merry, Morton, Nurse, Pope, Pritchard, Reid, Thorley, Vallely

*VOTE DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE! *