Public and Commercial Services Union

What is the campaign all about?

It is about putting our issues at the heart of national and local elections.

We want PCS members to talk to their local candidates about the things that concern us – low pay, job cuts and office closures for example – to get them on board and support our campaigns.

It is also about encouraging members to vote in elections to ensure far right parties do not increase their share of the vote.

Why should I get involved?

We want to make sure we elect politicians who value and support our public services. That is why we need PCS members to get involved in challenging local candidates on the issues that concern us.

If we can get as many members as possible to take part local decision makers should start to understand our concerns and support our campaigns to defend jobs and services.

How do we know the campaign makes a difference?

This year, PCS members challenged over 10,000 candidates during the English and Welsh local elections and the London Assembly elections, and we received and publicised more than 1,500 responses.

This is because candidates realised just how many PCS members live in their local areas and responded by actively engaging with us.

Many candidates also attended local ‘question time’ events organised by PCS activists in areas such as: Croydon, Plymouth, Durham, Gateshead, Redditch, Newport, Gloucester, Peterborough, Worcester, and Bradford.

From the campaign we know many Labour councillors are against the government’s job cuts programme, believing it to be responsible for decimating local public services.

What’s going on near me?

Our regional offices play a key role in challenging candidates during the elections and also holding them to account after the poll. They also are a vital link with local anti-racist/fascist groups. Contact your regional office to find out more about MYVC and how you can get involved.

Where can I get more information?

Contact your local PCS rep for more details on the campaign, see the PCS website www.pcs.org.uk/myvc or contact your regional office.

If you want to get more involved with anti-fascist campaigning contact your regional office or see www.pcs.org.uk/myvc for more information.