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Trades union councils

18 August 2010

At virtually every workplace members meeting, someone always asks what are other unions doing and what are we doing to get them on board with PCS campaigns? We always try to explain what our union at a national level is doing to work in solidarity with sister unions but in order for this to be effective work needs to be reflected at a local level too.

Our union does not need to repeat here the attacks that the coalition government are planning on ordinary working people in the public sector and the cuts to the services and benefits our families and friends in our communities rely on. But to resist this onslaught we will need to fight back and above all we need to be united as a movement in pressing the alternative to these cuts.

Rose Schneiderman was heavily involved in the trade union and women's suffrage movements in America during the great depression of the 1920’s and 1930’s. She once famously stated, “It is the spirit of trade unionism that is most important, the service of fellowship, the feeling that the hurt of one is the concern of all and that the work of the individual benefits all.” The Con Dem government and their apologists struggle to understand this quote but millions and millions of ordinary workers do.

Branches can play an important part in linking up with other trade unions in their local area by getting involved in their local trades councils.

Many of our branches in the MoD are already affiliated and play a prominent role in their running. Below Pam Marshall the branch organiser for the new MoD Andover & district branch gives her own experiences about how she has recently got involved in Andover trades council.

“Earlier this year, a public meeting was held in Andover to campaign against Twinings’ plan to sack 400 local workers and move production to Poland and China.

“Representatives from several Trade Unions attended, including PCS, and we decided that the time was right to re-form the Andover Trade Council. We now have delegates from RMT, USDAW, NUT, NUJ, FBU, NASWUT and PCS, and are actively working to forge links with other Public Sector unions.

“We held a very successful public meeting on 21 July with Bob Crow (RMT) and Hector Wesley (PCS) as speakers and this was widely publicised both on local radio and TV.

“Being affiliated to the Trade Council has been instrumental in raising the profile of the branch, especially during the industrial action held in March. Although it was freezing cold, members from RMT and USDAW came out to support us, along with the parliamentary Labour Party candidate. This support really enthused the branch members and reps in our dispute.

“We were able to capitalise on their media connections and the Branch Secretary and I were interviewed by the local radio station, which gave us the opportunity to explain why we were taking industrial action. We are continuing to campaign against the Government’s cuts by urging the TUC general secretary to co-ordinate action against the programme.”

What are Trades councils?

Trades councils are organisations that bring together union representatives from different unions in a town/city with the following aims: -

  • raise public awareness of rights at work and the union role in enforcing those rights.
  • promote organising and recruitment drives to build union membership.
  • support union and community campaigns for dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond.

Why should PCS branches affiliate?

Firstly we believe that the support of the wider trade union movement and the local community is vital in the furtherance of our national campaign especially in relation to the defence of the services that our members provide

Secondly of course there will be many issues of concern to other trade unions and the local community who need our support and where we will be in a position to offer practical help and support.

How to affiliate

Branches affiliate to their local trades council by paying an affiliation fee. This is usually around 10p per member per year – but you will need to check this with the secretary of your local trades council.

If your town/city is not included in the list on the link below please let the regional office know.

The way forward

Once your branch affiliates, or of you are already affiliated, please let the regional office and MoD group office have details of your delegate(s). Most regional offices aim to provide all PCS delegates to trades councils with regular briefing notes to take up with their trades councils. At times they will also look for (brief) reports back on the activities of all trades councils in the region.

There are challenging times ahead for the trade union movement in general and the PCS in particular. Local campaigning in partnership with other unions and the wider community will be essential if we are to be successful.

Please make sure you branch plays its part by affiliating to your local trades council.

For a directory of Trades Councils and contacts please visit the TUC website.

For further information please contact Mod group organiser, Mike Jones by phone on 0151 231 6120 (or mobile 07748 003402) or e-mail mikej@pcs.org.uk

 

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