Public and Commercial Services Union

Campaign to defend the compensation scheme

General Secretary Mark Serwotka presented a report to the national executive committee on our campaign to defend the civil service compensation scheme.

The NEC agreed that a wide ranging national membership consultation, involving as many members as possible would run until the end of October.

The NEC heard that regional briefings held so far across the country have had a high attendance, reflecting the anger felt about this attack on the scheme. At the same time the unions have met with relevant ministers to try to take forward negotiations and our legal challenge is also being progressed. It was agreed that in addition to these measures a special NEC would be held to consider our response to the government proposals.

PCS at the TUC

The NEC agreed the PCS attitudes to motions at the TUC and to submit an emergency motion on the CSCS.

This called for support in seeking to defend members’ existing terms and conditions which are under attack. We also agreed to put forward an argument around public spending cuts that public servants shouldn’t have to pay the price of an economic crisis not of their making and that cuts were not inevitable.

Lobby of Labour party conference

The education union UCU had called for a lobby of the Labour Party conference in Brighton. This had previously been agreed by the NEC as part of building and strengthening links with other trade unions to defend public services and jobs. The NEC therefore further agreed to publicity materials and transport arrangements in order to enable as many PCS members to take part in the lobby.

John McDonnell MP

John McDonnell presented a PCS parliamentary group report to the NEC. There are nearly 80 MPs in the group which lobbies ministers and raises PCS issues in the House of Commons.

The NEC heard that from Easter until September the parliamentary group has tabled 150 written and oral questions on a range of issues affecting PCS members and has also supported a dozen early day motions.

Honorary life membership

The Public Sector Group nominated Christine Hurley for Honorary Life membership.

Christine joined the Civil Service in 1979 and has held a variety of elected positions and been an inspirational campaigner over many years, most recently against the closure of the HSE London Headquarters.

The NEC were pleased to agree to award her honorary life membership.

Justice for Jay Abatan

The Justice for Jay campaign which is supported by PCS continues. The NEC receivedan update on the union’s assistance to the Abatan family in their struggle to seek justice over the racist murder of Jay Abatan, a PCS member, in1999.

The NEC noted that it has been agreed with the family to meet again in the near future to consider the way forward for the campaign and that feedback from this meeting would be brought back to the NEC.

Young members

The NEC agreed support for the Youth Fight For Jobs national demonstration on 28 November.

An amended young members’ charter was also agreed for distribution as well as guidance and materials on proposed changes to the civil service compensation scheme, specifically aimed at young members.