Public and Commercial Services Union

The survey has now closed. Over 400 completed online survey responses together with nearly 100 filled-in forms from a companion random postal survey added up to an impressive total of 500 survey answers during the October/November survey period.

Many thanks to those members who took the time to complete the survey, in what was obviously a busy period during the strike balloting period.

Results showed that for 90% of respondents the protection and promotion of public services in developing countries was either an important or very important issue; this reinforces the current approach of PCS that its international work should at least in part be an extension of its industrial agenda.

Other very important issues were child labour and trafficking, human rights, and fair/ethical trade.

Just over half of respondents active in some way on international issues were active personally, one-third were active through PCS, and currently just over 10% through their workplace.

Survey respondents wanted to learn about international issues primarily through a dedicated regular PCS international newsletter, but this was closely followed by wanting to see international pieces in View and Activate; regularly updated international webpages also “scored” heavily.

Over 130 members provided their email address so they could be kept in touch with future developments, with possibilities for getting involved.

If you missed out on the survey, but would like to be added to this contact list, then please contact Gary Willis, PCS international project officer email: gary@pcs.org.uk or write to him c/o the Deputy general secretary’s office, PCS, 160 Falcon Road, London, SW11 2LN.

Hugh Lanning, deputy general secretary, said: “The number of surveys completed was very encouraging, and the results will be of great value in helping PCS plan the next stages of its international capacity building work. Watch this space!”