Public and Commercial Services Union

North West MYVC report - 6 May 2010

In this region we inherited 84 Branch MYVC Coordinators from previous campaigns. To this, we were able to add 4 in 2010.

MYVC Training was delivered to Branch coordinators in Manchester on 15th March and Liverpool on 18th March. Training comprised of a full day for new coordinators and a half-day for those who previously been trained.

Initially, we identified seven potential Target Seats and endorsed that list through Officers of the NW Regional Committee. In a region where Labour is by far the biggest party, we included seats currently held by the three main parties and ensured that at least one seat was targeted in each of the four counties in the North west. The MYVC strategy was set out at numerous meetings of members and activists while building support for the PCS campaign to defend the Civil Service Compensation Scheme and seemed to win broad support.

Ultimately, we were able to run four Candidates Question Time (CQT) meetings between 21st April and 28th April in the constituencies of Sefton Central, South Ribble, Lancaster & Fleetwood and Wirral West. Press Releases were produced 48 hours before each CQT and details circulated to Trades Councils and Regional Secretaries of other unions at least one week in advance of each event.

Staff from the NW Regional Office attended each event to provide administrative support and to make detailed notes of questions and responses. A detailed report from South Ribble was mailed directly to more than 900 members residing in that constituency.

Key pledge postcards were mailed to all NW Branch secretaries and links to the updates pages of the MYVC NW pages of the PCS website were regularly emailed to a wide range of activists.

In terms of anti-fascist activity, Branches in or near the constituencies of Burnley and St. Helens North/South were provided with sufficient copies of Hope Not Hate material for a 1:1 distribution to members. DWP Branches on the Fylde Coast were also provided with anti-racist material to support the Workplace Day of action and community leaflet drops.

Replies to pledges and reports from CQT’s were uploaded in sufficient time for Branches to bring that information to the attention of members and reminders were sent to coordinators and Branch Secretaries. The NW Regional Office offered to produce hard copy leaflets based on responses to Branches or activists who wanted to leaflet transport hubs and communities in the final days before polling.

Peter Middleman
NW Regional Secretary/MYVC Co-ordinator