For DWP Assistant Secretary

I’ve been a committed Trade Unionist for 17 years and that’s been driven by my passionate belief in fairness in work and in society. This has led me to be an active member of PCS and of Left Unity, both strong and determined advocates for justice, fairness and equal treatment in the work place and in society.

As part of the ongoing battle to achieve this I have been proud to work alongside leading members in Left Unity at DWP Group and National level to pursue our shared aims. I have been part of a determined campaign fought on numerous fronts; on pay, pensions, Civil Service Compensation scheme cuts, against the ending of the check-off for union subscriptions for members; and against the imposition of charging for access to the child maintenance scheme, against sanctions in Universal credit, and for the re-writing of the welfare system to improve the lives and prospects of the public we deliver our vital services to.

As part of Left Unity, I am proud of my record of standing up for members and the successes I have helped to achieve. In DWP we have been the ones leading the campaign which has kept members safe during the coronavirus pandemic, demanding safer working in offices, more IT equipment delivered to members faster in order to work safely from home, preventing the employer from opening offices for longer and over more days at the height of the pandemic through the consultative ballot, and working in branches on a daily basis to keep members safe.

Reps and members from across the union, regardless of political alignment, have worked together throughout the coronavirus crisis and delivered for members which is to everyone’s credit. It has been Left Unity leadership however which set the agenda at discussions with management, that delivered the consultative ballot which forced the employer to think again about extending opening hours in Job Centres and UC Service Centres in December, and who continue to demand action from the Government over pay.

I’m seeking re-election to the DWP GEC as Group Assistant Secretary to continue to fight for fairness for members and in society. I am determined to help PCS secure more for members; better pay, decent pensions, to oppose cuts to the Civil Service compensation scheme and to bring privatised Civil Service contracts back into the public sector where they belong.