Public and Commercial Services Union

As part of our campaign it is crucial that all PCS members and potential members have an opportunity, and are encouraged, to get involved in our campaign and contact candidates to ask them to support our pledges as well as attend any candidates’ question time events organised by branches or town/city committees.

Finally, it is vital that all questions and responses received from candidates are publicised to members prior to the election so they can cast their votes knowing which politicians support our campaign.

Tips to involve members in the workplace

• People don’t get involved if they’re not asked, so make time and allocate someone in your branch to speak to members face-to-face in every workplace about how they can get involved in our campaign and what issues concern them.
• Think about the best time to hold meetings and candidates’ question time events. You might want to set up a local elections group which meets regularly and involves members who might not be on the branch executive committee.
• If they agree, give members small tasks to achieve – talking to other members in the workplace about the campaign by sending an email to the local MP, attending the candidates’ question time events – as this will make them more likely to get involved again.
• Make issues relevant and localised so members and potential members get involved campaigning on issues that are important to them.
• Make meetings accessible to as many members and potential members as possible – think about access and timings.
• Publicise candidates’ question time events clearly and follow up with face-to-face conversations around the workplace.
• Feed back responses from candidates quickly and clearly to all members, this includes candidates’ question time events responses as some members may not have been able to attend.
• Remember to share success stories with members and potential members to demonstrate that campaigning together on common issues works.