Public and Commercial Services Union

Our newsletter is a quarterly produced magazine written by young members, for young members.

It provides updates on developments in our network, reports on events, points of view from young members and useful guides and information for young member activists.

Want to receive our newsletter?

It's circulated in paper format to all young members signed up to the network, branch secretaries and organisers.

We have an increasing distribution – other trade unions and campaigning organisations now receive copies of our newsletter.

To receive copies of the young members newsletter or if you have any ideas or suggestions for future articles contact:

Tracy Edwards, young members' newsletter editor

Email: tracy@pcs.org.uk

Telephone: 0207 801 2727 x2393

If you are a PCS member aged 27 or under, join our network!

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Latest articles

Youth march success

Well over 1,000 young people took to the streets of London to march for real jobs and free education. YM organiser Tracy Edwards describes what took place.

Recognise us all

Agency workers employed by Kelly Services in Glasgow recently won union recognition.
A young agency worker explains why PCS is the union for them.

Cut to the bone

HMRC announced on 15th September 2009 plans to make 30% efficiencies in customer contact directorates (CCD) over the next 2 years.
Scottish YM convenor Debbie Mallet spells out what this means.

Save our NHS

Highly paid consultants have earmarked 137,000 jobs to go in the National Health Service (NHS).
Lincs YM convenor Nick Parker argues against savage cuts to a much needed public service.

Hands off our future!

There’s been a lot of talk lately about attacks to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). Wales YM convenor Chris Musgrave explains what it to young members.

Solidarity forever

Before trade unions existed, the Tolpuddle Martyrs were a group of 19th century labourers convicted and deported for swearing a secret oath as members of a trade society.

Wales young member convenor Chris Musgrave went to the annual festival in Dorset to celebrate their memory.

Fight for our future

In September, unemployment amongst young people is expected to reach one million.

The capitalist crisis is shaping the ‘Youth Fight for Jobs’ campaign and making it increasingly relevant and important says Tracy Edwards, YM organiser.

Heads they win, tails we lose?

Unless you’ve taken unpaid sabbatical on Mars for the last few months, you couldn’t have escaped recent media reports that public sector spending cuts are both inevitable and necessary.

Midlands YM convenor Adam Wissen says this isn’t the case.

How to set up a young members' network

Young workers account for 10 per cent of our total membership yet only one per cent are active in our union. Our network exists to give young workers a voice in the workplace and ensure we continue to have a healthy union that campaigns on the issues that matter to us all well into the future.

Here’s how you can help.

A barrier to overcome

Facility time is an issue for those interested in getting involved with the young members’ network. YM Lincs convenor Nick Parker explains why he’s found it difficult to take part in activity.

Conference success for young members

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.

Raising the standard

Members working in HMRC contact centres have won major concessions on draconian work practices and flexible working rights from the employer following the threat of industrial action. Scottish YM convenor Debbie Mallet outlines the background to this and what was gained.

A proud history

Its ten years since the introduction of a national minimum wage. Adam Wissen, Midlands' YM convenor attended a celebration of the achievements of rank and file trade unionists in winning a significant gain for working people.

Caught in the movement

As part of the TUC activist academy, a course designed to equip young members in organising and recording an intervention into the G20 'put people first' protest on 28 March 2009 gave four PCS young members some useful insights. North West YM convenor Phill Windsor reports from the protest.

Lifting barriers to participation

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.

Jobs not dole

Both the PCS national young members' committee and annual delegate conference support the Youth Fight for Jobs campaign. We asked Sean Figg, national organiser to explain why this initiative is needed.