Public and Commercial Services Union

Welcome to the group equality web pages.

The promotion of equality is a priority area for PCS in bargaining, campaigning and organising, and in the delivery of service to the members.

DWP group is committed to promoting equality and tackling discrimination, these web pages have been set up as part of the strategy to increase the profile of equality issues and to provide information to members on a wide range of equality and diversity issues.

The group has 4 equality committees, the women's committee, the black members committee, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) committee and the equality committee all elected annually.  Each of these committees meets quarterly and feeds into the GEC identifying areas of concern to take forward onto the bargaining agenda. 

Issues such as childcare, PDS and discrimination, disability monitoring, Islamaphobia, Gender Recognition Act, attendance management and reasonable adjustments, and inclusion of under represented groups, have been the subject of discussion by the committees amongst many others.

Women’s advisory committee

70% of workers in the DWP are women. This committee meets regularly to take forwards women’s issues. Its aim is to encourage more women to get involved with PCS and encourage their active participation.

Sickness absence procedures are a big concern for everyone in the DWP and the committee have produced a women’s health pack which offers advice for women members on health issues.

Equality advisory committee

This committee meets to deal with all equality and diversity issues and looks at ways to ensure that the composition of the union reflects the diversity of its members. The committee advises the GEC on equality issues. Some of the areas that they have been focusing on include age discrimination and disability awareness.

LGBT advisory committee (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender)

This advisory committee provides information and support to negotiators and members and holds an annual seminar and ensures that all LGBT members have a voice. Many ideas for campaigning issues stem from this network and new members interested in getting involved are always welcomed.

Black members advisory committee

This committee meets to advise the group executive committee on all issues affecting black and ethnic minority workers.

They hold a very popular seminar every year and this provides a real opportunity for new people to get involved. This committee seeks to ensure that there is real opportunity for development and progression and is committed to ensuring that racism and discrimination have no place in the DWP.