Public and Commercial Services Union

PCS is affiliated to the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).

As an affiliated union PCS Scotland places great emphasis on our representation within the STUC and the partnership work undertaken through the STUC with other unions, employers and Scottish political representatives.

The union is represented at all levels of the STUC with Eddie Reilly, Scottish secretary and Joy Dunn, Scottish Government group sitting on the general council.

Short history of the STUC

Established in 1897, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is a completely independent and autonomous trade union centre for Scotland.

It is not a Scottish regional organisation of the TUC. The STUC is not, and has never been, affiliated to any political party

From the earliest days, the STUC has been concerned with a wide range of economic and social questions, lobbying MPs, and from 1999 the Scottish parliament and executive, on major issues - hours and conditions of work, international affairs, housing, education, transport, peace, racism, and social and economic issues.

The STUC has played its part in the legend of Red Clydeside 1910-1922 and in many historic struggles including the general strike of 1926, the post-war reconstruction of Scottish industry, the Upper Clyde shipbuilders work-in of 1971-1972, the 1984-1985 miners strike and the defeat of the poll tax in the early 1990s.

The Congress was instrumental in bringing the motor industry to Bathgate and Linwood. The STUC played a central role for many decades in the campaign which established the Scottish parliament.

The focal point of the STUC is annual congress held in April and attended by delegates from affiliated unions. Annual congress sets the policy of the STUC and elects the general council to implement policy between congresses. 

Joy for Scottish TUC presidency

NEC member and Scottish Government group president, Joy Dunn has been elected president of the Scottish Trades Union Congress for 2010.

Joy will serve for a year in this key role in the Scottish trade union movement, chairing the monthly STUC general council sessions, leading by-lateral delegations to meet Scottish and UK ministers and addressing each of the STUC’s equality conferences throughout the year.

It has never been a more important time for public sector trade unionists to take on a co-ordinating role in ensuring that we work together to protect jobs, services, pay and conditions.

The PCS delegation to congress in Dundee was made up of President Janice Godrich, Assistant General Secretary Chris Baugh, PCS Scottish Secretary, Lynn Henderson, NEC members and conference-elected delegates from branches across Scotland, with delegates speaking in debates on the Scottish economy; civil service compensations scheme; racism, fascism and Islamophobia and violence against workers.

The delegation agreed to submit the attached emergency motion on 15% cuts in the Scottish Parliament’s Budget which was announced on the Thursday preceding conference. This was overwhelmingly carried.

PCS sponsored the Unions into Schools lunchtime fringe meeting which was addressed by pupils from several Scottish secondary schools, and a number of PCS reps that are trained school visitors participated.

The delegation met with local PCS reps from Dundee during congress.