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Conference success for young members

8 June 2009

National conference is the annually held event which directs PCS policy over the next twelve months. This year, PCS young members participated more than ever. YM chair Alan Warner reports on the many debates and activities involving young members that took place.

As the world lies in the grip of the worst recession for 80 years, workers are yet again expected to accept cuts in pay, services, or conditions.

Many young members work in contact centres and a motion calling for a national framework ensuring all call centre workers receive minimum trade union standards across the board was agreed. PCS is now in a position to unite our call centre campaigning work across the whole civil service together. This follows on from the recent HMRC dispute, where we saw the employer offer key concessions because of the threat of strike action.

Campaigning to win

The conference also agreed to support the ‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ (YFJ) campaign. The national young members committee, already playing an active role in the campaign, has various seats on the steering committee and now that conference has agreed to support the campaign we can look at producing joint materials and communications.

At a time when all mainstream parties are in disrepute, the YFJ is an organised and active campaign and offers a real alternative to young people fighting for a better future.

Interesting times ahead

There was a particularly important discussion around political representation. It was agreed to consult members over the coming year about the possibility of either standing candidates in elections or supporting those who will represent our views.

I’m excited about this as I believe this will gain a resonance amongst young workers seeking an alternative to the selfish and greedy agenda offered from many mainstream politicians.

Our young members’ fringe meeting attracted over 50 people. During the week we heard anger from many delegates, and rightly so, about MP’s dipping their snouts in the trough while we are left to struggle and suffer.

Helen Irving from HMRC branch at Benton Park View in Newcastle spoke about this and mentioned how the ‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ Campaign is an important initiative for young people to get involved with.

Helen Flanagan, who recently won the TUC Youth Award, outlined the importance of having a key set of demands and pointed to the young members’ charter as a template.

Alan Brown national executive committee (NEC) member congratulated the work of our young members’ network and pledged support from the NEC to future campaigns. Young members’ organiser Tracy Edwards spoke on the achievements of the young members’ network and assured the meeting of her dedication and commitment to ensuring continued support in developing our network further.

Hard work pays off

We also had a young members stall. We distributed rights at work leaflets, jargon busters and young members’ materials. We obtained key contacts from branches interested in organising young member activity in their workplace.

We sold T shirts to young and older members, raising over £350 for the PCS hardship fund.

Many commented on how great it was to see young people playing an active role and helping to shape conference policy. AGS Chris Baugh gave praise to our work when he presented the national organising strategy, commenting on our young members have being at the forefront of PCS campaigns.

I would like to thank the current leadership for the support they have shown us as without this we wouldn’t have been able to flourish so much.

Putting the record straight

It is clear we are dispelling the myths that young people aren’t interested in politics or trade unions.

Through our campaigning and organising work we have built a vibrant and active group of young workers playing a key role in PCS and gaining an influence with other young workers across the trade union movement.

A lot of people talk about young members being the future, but it is becoming increasingly clear that we are the here and now and I’m sure our young members’ network will continue to grow and develop further in the coming months and years ahead.