Our branch nominated Mark Serwotka & we strongly recommend that you vote for him.
However you choose to vote please make sure that you do mark your cross and get the ballot paper in the post box.
Tuesday 26 November 2019
Saturday 14 September 2019
Climate Change
Chris Willars is at TUC Midlands Meeting. Pete Jackson from PCS is moving a motion in support of day of action on climate change on 20 September. Join us at the clock tower at 12:00 to fight climate change.
Thursday 29 August 2019
Anti-Prorogation Protest
With lots of people from across the political spectrum but including a good smattering of Leicester City Councillors, the City Mayor, the local MP, the local MEP. We are standing up for democracy & holding the government to account.
Thursday 4 July 2019
LGBT Stall
There is an LGBT event in Wellington Street today. PCS have a presence. We have leaflets & are encouraging people to sign up for PCS Proud. We are also offering advice & signing people up for union learning on literacy & numeracy which includes a free Android tablet. Speak to a rep for details.
Wednesday 19 June 2019
Building a Just Social Security System
PCS have been given an opportunity to contribute our suggestions to improve the social security system that many of our members administer. We would, of course, take this opportunity pretty much whoever had asked for our input. In this case it is from the Labour Party.
If you wish to make a contribution please use a personal device or do it from home.
The link is here and the closing date is 30 June 2019.
Please copy your response to PCS by e-mail to lori@pcs.org.uk.
If you wish to make a contribution please use a personal device or do it from home.
The link is here and the closing date is 30 June 2019.
Please copy your response to PCS by e-mail to lori@pcs.org.uk.
Friday 7 June 2019
Anti Trump Demonstration
PCS was well represented at the National Demonstration. I spoke for the Leicester & District Trades Union Council at the Leicester demonstration. We reject his misogyny, homophobia, islamophobia, etc. and we certainly reject a trade deal which involves selling unsafe foodstuffs and privatising the NHS. 
Universal Credit Dispute
Wallsall and Wolverhampton UC Service Centres are on strike for more staff and better conditions. We should support them as it will help us win more staffing and better conditions for all PCS members and it will also improve our service to UC claimants. 
Thursday 23 May 2019
PCS ADC Thursday Morning Part 2
We now enter the last session of conference for 2019.
As before all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
The guillotine section is next with an attempt to hear some of the motions not heard in the main part of conference.
Motion A5 calls for PCS to campaign for a four day week.
Motion A64 calls for PCS to work to improve the social security system for Scotland.
The vote of thanks was moved by Mark Baker and with a short statement by the incoming National President, Fran Heathcote, we are done for another year.
Time to get on a train back to Leicester and get back to working for PCS DWP Leicestershire members.
As before all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
The guillotine section is next with an attempt to hear some of the motions not heard in the main part of conference.
Motion A5 calls for PCS to campaign for a four day week.
Motion A64 calls for PCS to work to improve the social security system for Scotland.
The vote of thanks was moved by Mark Baker and with a short statement by the incoming National President, Fran Heathcote, we are done for another year.
Time to get on a train back to Leicester and get back to working for PCS DWP Leicestershire members.
PCS ADC Thursday Morning Part 1
It's the last day of conference but we still have business to get through.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A277 calls for the government to restore the 2% of pension contributions that we should be entitled to.
Motion A255 calls for the NEC to take out a legal challenge to the pension changes implemented by the government.
Motion A76 calls for all members of civil service pension schemes to be able to retire at 60 and pay lower contributions.
Motion A290 calls for PCS to oppose any worse terms for the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
Motion A291 calls for opposition to additional provisions in the changes to exit payments.
Motion A78 calls for improvements to sexual harassment policy and for mandatory training.
Motion A80 calls for PCS to campaign on NHS mental health care.
Motion A82 calls for agency workers to be given full TU rights.
Motion A83 calls for a special leave allowance for victims of domestic violence.
Motion A79 calls for better protection for staff from potentially violent customers.
Motion A283 calls for paid carers leave.
Motion A84 calls for a work your hours campaign.
Jeremy Corbyn addressed conference to standing ovations.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A277 calls for the government to restore the 2% of pension contributions that we should be entitled to.
Motion A255 calls for the NEC to take out a legal challenge to the pension changes implemented by the government.
Motion A76 calls for all members of civil service pension schemes to be able to retire at 60 and pay lower contributions.
Motion A290 calls for PCS to oppose any worse terms for the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.
Motion A291 calls for opposition to additional provisions in the changes to exit payments.
Motion A78 calls for improvements to sexual harassment policy and for mandatory training.
Motion A80 calls for PCS to campaign on NHS mental health care.
Motion A82 calls for agency workers to be given full TU rights.
Motion A83 calls for a special leave allowance for victims of domestic violence.
Motion A79 calls for better protection for staff from potentially violent customers.
Motion A283 calls for paid carers leave.
Motion A84 calls for a work your hours campaign.
Jeremy Corbyn addressed conference to standing ovations.
Wednesday 22 May 2019
PCS ADC Wednesday Afternoon Part 2
We carry on with motions.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A7 calls for PCS to get recognition in the private sector and for privatisation to be reversed.
Motion A276 calls for shortfalls in salary to be paid due to private sector employers failing to pay them to striking members of PCS.
Motion A53 calls for affiliation to Freedom for Ocalan.
Motion A317 calls for PCS to support climate change activism and work with schools strikers for climate change and Extinction Rebellion.
Motion A65 calls for PCS to work for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy.
Motion A312 calls for PCS to declare a climate emergency.
Motion A54 calls for an end to cuts in domestic abuse services.
Motion A318 calls for PCS to campaign against rape victims being forced to hand over their mobile phone records.
Motion A55 calls for the abolition of Universal Credit and to develop an alternative social security system.
Motion A278 calls for opposition to the propaganda about Universal Credit issued by DWP.
Motion A56 calls for opposition to any Brexit which disadvantages workers, for a general election and for the civil service to be adequately staffed to deal with issues associated with Brexit.
Motion A57 calls for a general election but calls for a number of things that would make PCS a supporter of leave. The motion was remitted so that the good points would not be lost.
With that, conference closed for the day. We'll be back tomorrow for the last day.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A7 calls for PCS to get recognition in the private sector and for privatisation to be reversed.
Motion A276 calls for shortfalls in salary to be paid due to private sector employers failing to pay them to striking members of PCS.
Motion A53 calls for affiliation to Freedom for Ocalan.
Motion A317 calls for PCS to support climate change activism and work with schools strikers for climate change and Extinction Rebellion.
Motion A65 calls for PCS to work for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy.
Motion A312 calls for PCS to declare a climate emergency.
Motion A54 calls for an end to cuts in domestic abuse services.
Motion A318 calls for PCS to campaign against rape victims being forced to hand over their mobile phone records.
Motion A55 calls for the abolition of Universal Credit and to develop an alternative social security system.
Motion A278 calls for opposition to the propaganda about Universal Credit issued by DWP.
Motion A56 calls for opposition to any Brexit which disadvantages workers, for a general election and for the civil service to be adequately staffed to deal with issues associated with Brexit.
Motion A57 calls for a general election but calls for a number of things that would make PCS a supporter of leave. The motion was remitted so that the good points would not be lost.
With that, conference closed for the day. We'll be back tomorrow for the last day.
PCS ADC Wednesday Afternoon Part 1
We started the afternoon with a presentation of the organising strategy.
As before, all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A45 endorsed the organising strategy.
Motion A46 calls for the Public Sector Group to have a Group Conference with motions and decision making powers.
Motion A47 and A48 were debated together. A47 endorsed the outcomes of the ARMS review and A48 called for ARMS members to be paid for work representing members. A47 was carried and A48 was lost.
There were then further Distinguished Life Membership awards.
As before, all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A45 endorsed the organising strategy.
Motion A46 calls for the Public Sector Group to have a Group Conference with motions and decision making powers.
Motion A47 and A48 were debated together. A47 endorsed the outcomes of the ARMS review and A48 called for ARMS members to be paid for work representing members. A47 was carried and A48 was lost.
There were then further Distinguished Life Membership awards.
PCS ADC Wednesday Morning Part 2
The financial report was presented jointly by the outgoing and incoming Assistant General Secretaries, Chris Baugh and John Moloney respectively.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A35 calls for training and support for mental health first aiders and suicide prevention.
Motion A41 calls for opposition to the dictatorship in Kazakhstan and to affiliate to the campaign.
Motion A42 calls for continued support of Palestine and the BDS movement.
The PCS Communication Awards were next. Sadly I wasn't even nominated for this marvellous blog. Maybe next year...
And then we broke for lunch. I'll be back later.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A35 calls for training and support for mental health first aiders and suicide prevention.
Motion A41 calls for opposition to the dictatorship in Kazakhstan and to affiliate to the campaign.
Motion A42 calls for continued support of Palestine and the BDS movement.
The PCS Communication Awards were next. Sadly I wasn't even nominated for this marvellous blog. Maybe next year...
And then we broke for lunch. I'll be back later.
PCS ADC Wednesday Morning Part 1
We are straight into the motions. We get a break this morning so I'll do two updates.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A18 calls for reserved seats for women on the NEC.
Motion A284 calls for equal LGBT+ equality in Northern Ireland.
Motion A19 calls for the NEC to better publicise and use section 15 of the Equalities Act.
Motion A20 calls for better recognition and training for trans rights.
Motion A21 censures the NEC for lack of an adequate response to a letter signed by Mark Serwotka which undermined the battle for trans rights.
Motion A27 calls for subs to be increased by 50p which would be ringfenced for the fighting fund.
Motion A28 calls for alternative vote to be used for senior full time officers rather than first past the post. This motion was lost as the main problem is low turnout.
Distinguished Life Memberships were awarded to the people agreed last year.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A18 calls for reserved seats for women on the NEC.
Motion A284 calls for equal LGBT+ equality in Northern Ireland.
Motion A19 calls for the NEC to better publicise and use section 15 of the Equalities Act.
Motion A20 calls for better recognition and training for trans rights.
Motion A21 censures the NEC for lack of an adequate response to a letter signed by Mark Serwotka which undermined the battle for trans rights.
Motion A27 calls for subs to be increased by 50p which would be ringfenced for the fighting fund.
Motion A28 calls for alternative vote to be used for senior full time officers rather than first past the post. This motion was lost as the main problem is low turnout.
Distinguished Life Memberships were awarded to the people agreed last year.
Tuesday 21 May 2019
PCS ADC Tuesday Afternoon
PCS Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) is the conference for the whole civil service and other organisations where PCS represents members.
As before all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
The first item was agreeing National Distinguished Life Memberships. Conference agreed to award one to Tony Church.
The most contentious and most important debate was up first; the debate on pay.
Motion A292 was debated with A294 and A306. A292 calls for campaigning against anti trade union laws, against pay restrictions, co-ordinating pay claims in departments and supporting groups who take action, consider legal action and hold a further national ballot. A294 calls for a consultation on future tactics on a pay ballot. A306 calls for departmental ballots rather than a national one.
There was a card vote which means that each branch puts their card into a ballot box. It has the number of members in each branch on it and it is these membership figures that are counted. This process takes some time.
After a guest speaker we moved on to the next section of the agenda.
Motion A9 calls for the selection process to better take into account reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, particularly neurodiversity conditions.
Motion A10 calls for neurodiversity to be recognised as a protected characteristic.
Motion A12 calls for neurodiversity conditions to be specifically taken into account in the interview process.
The vote on A292 was announced. The motion was carried.
Motion A14 calls for opposition to racism and fascism and to continue to work with campaigning organisations.
Motion A15 calls for a national TUC demonstration against fascism.
And that completes conference for today. Come back tomorrow. I will.
As before all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
The first item was agreeing National Distinguished Life Memberships. Conference agreed to award one to Tony Church.
The most contentious and most important debate was up first; the debate on pay.
Motion A292 was debated with A294 and A306. A292 calls for campaigning against anti trade union laws, against pay restrictions, co-ordinating pay claims in departments and supporting groups who take action, consider legal action and hold a further national ballot. A294 calls for a consultation on future tactics on a pay ballot. A306 calls for departmental ballots rather than a national one.
There was a card vote which means that each branch puts their card into a ballot box. It has the number of members in each branch on it and it is these membership figures that are counted. This process takes some time.
After a guest speaker we moved on to the next section of the agenda.
Motion A9 calls for the selection process to better take into account reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, particularly neurodiversity conditions.
Motion A10 calls for neurodiversity to be recognised as a protected characteristic.
Motion A12 calls for neurodiversity conditions to be specifically taken into account in the interview process.
The vote on A292 was announced. The motion was carried.
Motion A14 calls for opposition to racism and fascism and to continue to work with campaigning organisations.
Motion A15 calls for a national TUC demonstration against fascism.
And that completes conference for today. Come back tomorrow. I will.
PCS DWP Conference Tuesday Morning Part 2
Motion A139 calls for opposition to the new office in Treforest in Wales.
The next section is called the Guillotine section and picks up the motions that have not yet been heard.
Motion A79 calls for automatic handover of disability passports when a member changes line manager.
Motion EM9 calls for a staffing campaign in DWP Digital.
Dave Owens moved the vote of thanks and Fran Heathcote closed conference.
I'll be back after lunch to cover the Annual Delegate Conference (ADC).
The next section is called the Guillotine section and picks up the motions that have not yet been heard.
Motion A79 calls for automatic handover of disability passports when a member changes line manager.
Motion EM9 calls for a staffing campaign in DWP Digital.
Dave Owens moved the vote of thanks and Fran Heathcote closed conference.
I'll be back after lunch to cover the Annual Delegate Conference (ADC).
PCS DWP Conference Tuesday Morning Part 1
Like yesterday, all motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
This will be a busy session as we try to hear all the rest of the motions before DWP Group Conference closes at lunchtime.
Motion A112 calls for Carers Allowance to be properly resourced to prevent overpayments to claimants.
Motion A116 calls for staff to be better able to support claimants who are victims of domestic violence.
Motion A117 calls for unlimited ability to switch off UC conditionality for victims of domestic violence.
Motion A118 calls for a resource model that gives enough staff for the job we actually do.
Motion A119 calls for all our process to be SMART & risk assessed.
Motion A120 calls for an end to excessive monitoring of telephony staff.
Emergency Motion EM9 calls for better staffing for DWP Digital.
Motion A121 calls for better application of ED for OED staff.
Motion A125 calls for widening out the UC dispute in Wolverhampton & Walsall.
Motion A135 calls for an improved social security system in Scotland using devolved powers.
Motion A135 calls for an improved social security system in Scotland using devolved powers.
Monday 20 May 2019
PCS DWP Conference Monday Late Afternoon
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Following a guest speaker, we got back to the motions.
Emergency Motion EM6 calls for improvements to our organising.
Motion A81 calls for PCS to recruit and support apprentices.
Motion A86 calls for PCS reps to have full access to HR Complex Case Team advice.
Motion A94 calls for check off details to be removed from our pay slips. This motion was from our branch and was moved by Alan Groves.
Motion A95 calls for PCS to be fully involved in the negotiation and implementation of neurodiversity policies.
Motion A103 calls for Attendance Management Policy to better reflect the Equality Act. This motion was from our branch and was moved by Alan Groves. It was remitted because conference felt that policies had been updated. We agreed to remit to save all of our motion being lost and most of our asks were covered in EM3 which was carried earlier.
Motion A104 calls for better safeguards against discrimination against disabled people during recruitment.
Motion A105 calls for free sanitary protection in DWP premises for staff and public and support the removal of VAT on those products.
Motion A106 calls for a message on public phone line to include a recorded message saying that unacceptable customer behaviour will not be tolerated.
Motion A107 calls for stab vests for security guards.
Motion A108 calls for DWP to update its accident policy.
Motion A109 calls for flu vaccine for all front line staff.
Bash Chilwan, as the recently re-elected DWP Group Treasurer, moved the accounts and that ends the business of day one of conference.
PCS DWP Conference Monday Early Afternoon
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a
different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A52 calls for reasonable adjustments to apply to all HR policies, including annual leave.
Motion A53 calls for proper planning for festive leave.
Motion A54 calls for opposition to working normally on public holidays.
Motion A55 calls for leave to be recalculated where part-time staff increase their hours for training.
Motion A56 calls for the non-consolidated pay part of any pay settlement be distributed in line with PCS negotiations now that the link between appraisal and pay has been broken.
Motion A65 calls for an opt out of evidence gathering for monthly one to ones but to maintain the one to ones.
Motion A66 calls for better policies for members seeking changes to working patterns.
Motion A67 calls for a survey of members to find out how widespread a lack of assumed consent is.
Emergency Motion EM4 calls for PCS to challenge further extensions to extended opening hours.
Motion A69 calls for opposition to extending opening hours in Jobcentres.
Motion A70 calls for fully independent decision makers for HR cases and a further recourse when there is a perverse decision made.
Emergency Motion EM7 calls for the process of entering facility time on SOP to be suspended.
Motion A72 calls for better guidance for political activity.
Motion A73 calls for safeguards in the completion on the People Survey.
Emergency Motion EM3 calls for improvements to attendance management procedures.
Motion A77 calls for an increase in the attendance management trigger point by at least 2 day for those members who are over 50. This was remitted as members over 50 tend to have fewer short term absences but more long term absences and the motion is potentially discriminatory under the Equality Act.
Motion A78 calls for improved process for the review of Disabled Employees Trigger Point.
Motion A52 calls for reasonable adjustments to apply to all HR policies, including annual leave.
Motion A53 calls for proper planning for festive leave.
Motion A54 calls for opposition to working normally on public holidays.
Motion A55 calls for leave to be recalculated where part-time staff increase their hours for training.
Motion A56 calls for the non-consolidated pay part of any pay settlement be distributed in line with PCS negotiations now that the link between appraisal and pay has been broken.
Motion A65 calls for an opt out of evidence gathering for monthly one to ones but to maintain the one to ones.
Motion A66 calls for better policies for members seeking changes to working patterns.
Motion A67 calls for a survey of members to find out how widespread a lack of assumed consent is.
Emergency Motion EM4 calls for PCS to challenge further extensions to extended opening hours.
Motion A69 calls for opposition to extending opening hours in Jobcentres.
Motion A70 calls for fully independent decision makers for HR cases and a further recourse when there is a perverse decision made.
Emergency Motion EM7 calls for the process of entering facility time on SOP to be suspended.
Motion A72 calls for better guidance for political activity.
Motion A73 calls for safeguards in the completion on the People Survey.
Emergency Motion EM3 calls for improvements to attendance management procedures.
Motion A77 calls for an increase in the attendance management trigger point by at least 2 day for those members who are over 50. This was remitted as members over 50 tend to have fewer short term absences but more long term absences and the motion is potentially discriminatory under the Equality Act.
Motion A78 calls for improved process for the review of Disabled Employees Trigger Point.
PCS DWP Conference Monday Morning
Here's the rest of Monday morning's business.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A13 calls for a DWP staffing campaign and to oppose redundancies and office closures.
Motion A20 calls for a recruitment campaign in Retirement Provision Directorate.
Motion A25 calls for a staffing campaign in Jobcentres.
Motion A26 calls for NINO interviewers to be regraded to EO.
Motion A27 calls for vacancies to not be filled by FTAs where there is ongoing work to be done.
Motion A28 calls for privatised workers in our offices are nationalised.
Motion A30 calls for a staffing campaign in CMG. Alan Groves spoke in support of this.
The rest of the morning was taken up by the award of Distinguished Life Memberships and a speech by our General Secretary, Mark Serwotka.
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Motion A13 calls for a DWP staffing campaign and to oppose redundancies and office closures.
Motion A20 calls for a recruitment campaign in Retirement Provision Directorate.
Motion A25 calls for a staffing campaign in Jobcentres.
Motion A26 calls for NINO interviewers to be regraded to EO.
Motion A27 calls for vacancies to not be filled by FTAs where there is ongoing work to be done.
Motion A28 calls for privatised workers in our offices are nationalised.
Motion A30 calls for a staffing campaign in CMG. Alan Groves spoke in support of this.
The rest of the morning was taken up by the award of Distinguished Life Memberships and a speech by our General Secretary, Mark Serwotka.
DWP Pay Debate
All motions were carried unless otherwise noted. Where the branch voted in a different way to conference this will also be noted.
Emergency Motion 5 calls for a further national pay ballot at some point in the future. It gives the option of balloting for DWP action & co-ordinating action with other groups in PCS.
Motion A10 calls for equal pay for opted out members. This disadvantages members who opted in as they would still have to work until 8 and Saturdays but have the same pay as members who don't. Safeguards were built in to ED for members with caring responsibilities, disabilities, etc. This motion was remitted. This means that the GEC can take forward the helpful parts of the motion but not the problematic parts.
Motion A12 calls for pay negotiations on the basis of motion A10. This motion was also lost.
Emergency Motion 5 calls for a further national pay ballot at some point in the future. It gives the option of balloting for DWP action & co-ordinating action with other groups in PCS.
Motion A10 calls for equal pay for opted out members. This disadvantages members who opted in as they would still have to work until 8 and Saturdays but have the same pay as members who don't. Safeguards were built in to ED for members with caring responsibilities, disabilities, etc. This motion was remitted. This means that the GEC can take forward the helpful parts of the motion but not the problematic parts.
Motion A12 calls for pay negotiations on the basis of motion A10. This motion was also lost.
PCS Conference 2019
Paper sellers & leafleters have assembled and we are ready to start. Updates on motions and key events will appear here. 
Thursday 21 March 2019
POST YOUR BALLOT PAPER
We are strongly recommending that you vote yes and yes but you can, of course, vote however you choose.
But either way MAKE SURE YOU VOTE.
Don’t forget that it is POSTAL ONLY. Make sure that you get it in the post as soon as possible.
Monday 18 March 2019
Pay Ballot
Your ballot paper should arrive this week. Please make sure you vote. You can only vote postally so make sure that you fill it in and put it in the post box. 
Wednesday 6 February 2019
Walsall UC Service Centre
PCS members at Walsall UCSC voted for strike action today in support of a staffing claim & changes to working practices that will benefit bot staff and UC claimants. We wish them well. 
Teachers Strike
Teachers from both campuses of Wyggeston QE College are on strike today. I called in to offer support from our PCS branch as we recognise that victory for workers trying to improve their conditions is a victory for us all & will help, even if in some small way, in our struggle. Solidarity!
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