I have been an active member of PCS for over 10 years, from early in my civil service career. I have worked in DWP since 2018, and I have been privileged to be a DWP workplace rep since 2022. I got involved because I saw instances of colleagues being treated unfairly and decided it was time to step up and play my part in creating fairer workplaces where our members know their rights and can act on them. I am proud of my record in securing better outcomes for the members I have represented.

In my own branch, as well as being Branch Treasurer, I am also Branch Learning Coordinator and have led our team of learning reps in organising successful learning events and putting our members in touch with other learning opportunities available through PCS. Our office has had a number of building issues in the past couple of years, as well as members reporting high levels of work related stress. I have therefore also trained as a health and safety rep, so I can be as effective as possible for the members I represent. I am passionate about equality and believe that no-one should face unjust barriers at work due to their circumstances and I am very sensitive to this with the members I represent.

As Equality Officer for PCS DWP Wales, I have developed a network for the equality reps currently in post, with regular catch ups to share best practice and support each other. I have also served on the PCS Wales Executive Committee since its inception 2 years ago, and have recently been elected as one of the Vice Chairs. It has been great to work with reps in different departments to represent the interests of our members across Wales.

Within DWP Group, I currently serve on the Universal Credit Advisory Committee, the Group Women’s Advisory Committee and the Group Equality Advisory Committee. On these committees, I have consistently represented the interests of members and helped to give group officers a clear picture of what is going on at branch and regional level. Additionally, in the case of the equality committees, I have worked with other committee members to plan member sessions on various equality issues aimed at informing members of their rights at work.

I am a socialist and a proud member of Left Unity. I joined Left Unity for several reasons. I saw the commitment shown by Left Unity reps in the branches that I have been in, and I was inspired by this. Also, from the first time I went to conference and ever since, the behaviour of different factions in PCS has been striking, with Left Unity showing the clearest commitment to running the union properly, taking the wishes and needs of our members into account, and without being beholden to outside political interests.

I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure members’ voices are heard, particularly those that are marginalised. We need fair pay, full access to flexible working, the pensions mess to be sorted, safe workplaces, and proper staffing levels. I know that a Left Unity GEC will act democratically and in the best interests of the membership,  and I encourage our members to vote for the full Left Unity slate at the upcoming GEC elections.