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Lifting barriers to participation

8 June 2009

During group conferences, the Public Sector Group( PSg) held its first equality seminar aimed at newer members from under represented groups. YM Equalities Officer Dave Ellis, who organised the event, explains how it went.

All equality groups, including young members were represented at this seminar. The aim of the event was to encourage more diversity amongst delegates attending conferences and to gain a better understanding of how it all works, which made it an ideal experience for young members.

How we fit in


PSg is made up of a diverse group of branches which all individually negotiate their terms and conditions. It is difficult to get a group wide structure such as a young members’ advisory committee, so a seminar such as this was all the more important for making links between branches and encouraging more activity from under represented groups at group level.
 

On the first day we introduced what a union is and how structures work. This was followed by an explanation of how different equality strands fit into the national structure. What could have been a dry subject was made very engaging by Zita Holbourne from the NEC and other equality speakers including our young members’ organiser, Tracy Edwards.
 

The second day the new reps learned the basics of handling a personal case, in particular with issues over equality in the workplace. Whilst Derek Mellor of the Standing Orders Committee gave an overview of how Conference worked, preparing them for what they would see on the Wednesday morning. This provoked a lively debate into how a single member can influence national PCS policy.

Building confidence


The packed agenda was aimed at giving the new reps an experience of conference, whilst connecting branch work to the national structure. I think this experience was vital for new young members as conference is always a boost to any union reps confidence but it also provides the sense that their role in the branch can influence PCS at a national level.


• If you work in the Public Sector Group and want to link up with other young members across the group contact Dave Ellis for more information.