Four page PCS Left Unity Newsletter.
Continue readingOne month to win the pay and pensions ballot
On Monday 21st February, with one month left of the pay and pensions ballot, PCS Left Unity will be hosting a rally to help get the vote out.
Please invite everyone you know.
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To download as a PDF click here
Take to the streets against the cost of living crisis
This Saturday 12th February, activists, trade unionists and community groups all over the UK are taking to the streets to protest against this government and the cost of living crisis. These are such important demonstrations… and this is just the start!
Continue readingCost of living crisis – we can’t pay
PCS members have long suffered under Tory austerity measures. For almost twelve years now we have seen pay cuts in real terms as inflation has increased and fell but never reached a lower percentage point than the 1% pay award, or the 0% freeze we have endured. Struggling to pay the bills, to buy the weekly shopping, visiting charity shops and foodbanks to keep family clothed and fed.
The National Campaign – A Scottish Sector Perspective
The Scottish Sector has spent some years apart from the National Campaign because a number of years ago, Scottish Government who decide our pay took another direction after the then, Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, gave Governments backing for “Pay Restitution” for Scottish Civil Servants at the PCS Conference of Branches convened to decide our policy on the Referendum.
Continue readingSolidarity with Unison President, Paul Holmes
Paul Holmes is the left candidate who was elected as National President of Unison in 2021. At the time of Paul’s election, he was suspended both by his employer and by Unison.
Continue readingFighting For Anti-Racist Workplaces – SUTR & TUC Trade Union Conference report
On 5th February I attended the Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) & TUC Trade Union Conference: Fighting For Anti-Racist Workplaces, as a delegate for the NEC. Our delegation also included Bridget Corcoran, Sarah Ensor and Paul Williams, however the conference was open to all activists. The conference was building for the UN Anti-Racism Day actions which will take place in London and Glasgow on 19th March, and in Cardiff on 20th March.
Continue readingWin the ballot for better Pay and Pensions
To ALL LEFT UNITY ACTIVISTS
The consultative ballot begins on 14th February, that gives us less than a fortnight to get organised.
Whatever your political persuasion, hopefully we can all agree that beating the 50% threshold makes PCS stronger in all of our negotiations and campaign activity. Don’t fall for the defeatism of those who want to see PCS fail. We urge all reps to do everything possible to engage members in this campaign. Let’s work together to make PCS stronger.
In the next week or so, every region and nation will hold a reps’ briefing to launch the campaign where a PCS speaker will speak alongside and activist from another trade union, doing all we can to coordinate our campaign activity. We are urging everyone to attend.
Below is a timeline which should help with your planning.
No more tired slogans, Let’s see some real action.
Get Organised for the National Campaign Consultative Ballot – 14th February to 21st March
Pay, pensions and the cost of living crisis are the main issues for the PCS National Campaign. In December our Left Unity led NEC agreed to move to a consultative ballot and activists are now full steam ahead with making plans for its success.
Out of necessity, PCS rightly prioritised safety over the last two years, and the results of this are clear, from the concessions gained in DVLA where the branch has been transformed, following the dispute and campaign activity over the last 18 months, with the branch leadership continuing to take the fight to the employer on behalf of its members, to departments where PCS has successfully negotiated safe homeworking and the world of work has changed forever.
Continue readingPolitical posturing and unfounded criticism no substitute for action and results
On the 5th of January reps in DWP branches may have received a message sent from Craig Worswick, as the Secretary of Greater Manchester branch, calling a reps meeting on 19th January via Zoom. Whilst branches have no mandate to call meetings of other branches, which was pointed out to him by PCS officers, a decision has been made to proceed with the meeting.
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PCS Left Unity 
