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Special report: Life in the virtual sweatshops

Thu, 14 Feb 2008

Inadequate staffing, unrealistic targets, draconian sickness policies, low pay, poor training, deskilling, excessive monitoring, hostility to unions, and a lack of regard for health and safety.

We will be free!

Mon, 21 Apr 2008

With preparations underway for this year's Tolpuddle festival, Tim Lezard of south west TUC examines the martyrs' legacy.

The missing billions

Fri, 18 Apr 2008

In the April 2008 edition of Activate, tax campaigner Richard Murphy outlined his analysis of the �33bn lost to the UK economy every year through tax avoidance and planning by the very wealthy.

Busting the busters

Fri, 18 Apr 2008

Prevalent in the US for many years, the tactics used by US employers to persuade workers against joining a union are increasingly being used by UK companies.

Prime minister petitioned on pay

Fri, 28 Mar 2008

Office for National Statistics rep Graham Greenlees is petitioning the prime minister to fund progression and 'cost of living' pay rises separately in the civil service.

It's not all work, work, work

Thu, 14 Feb 2008

The longest working hours in Europe, the shortest lunch breaks, the fewest public holidays, expensive childcare and poor provision for older people. PCS research officer Pam Cole says UK workers don't have it easy.

Sacked rep re-elected by members

Fri, 18 Apr 2008

As victimised Child Support Agency rep Eddie Fleming awaits his tribunal hearing, he continues to enjoy massive support from members in Hastings and across the union.

Campaign against climate change

Tue, 12 Feb 2008

PCS young members' organiser Tracy Edwards reports back from a joint trade union conference called to tackle the issue of climate change.

And our survey said...

Mon, 03 Dec 2007

A full copy of the results of the PCS activists' survey, compiled and analysed by a professor of industrial relations at Middlesex university, is available to download.

Strength, solidarity and pride

Thu, 29 Nov 2007

Trades Union Congress academy organiser Kat Dyer explains her priorities and aims for her 12-month placement with PCS.

Migrant workers welcome here

Thu, 29 Nov 2007

PCS policy officer Nick Clark explores the issues and uncovers the facts about migrant workers.

A strong and healthy union

Thu, 14 Feb 2008

Organising annual meetings is an important part of being a PCS activist, as Department for Work and Pensions group organiser Fran Heathcote explains.

PCS in Palestine - part one

Mon, 24 Dec 2007

Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is part one of his daily blog.

PCS in Palestine - part two

Thu, 27 Dec 2007

Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is part two of his daily blog.

PCS in Palestine - part three

Sat, 29 Dec 2007

Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is part three of his daily blog.

PCS in Palestine - part four

Mon, 31 Dec 2007

Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is the final part of his daily blog.

MoD activists meet MEP

Wed, 09 Jan 2008

Following the lessons learned from Make Your Vote Count, MoD instructional officers met MEP Jill Evans to discuss ongoing concerns over the defence training review.

Welfare, workers and the class struggle

Thu, 29 Nov 2007

Neil Davidson, branch secretary of PCS Edinburgh central, reviews the book New Labour/Hard Labour? Restructuring and resistance inside the welfare industry.

Love Music Hate Racism

Tue, 01 Jan 2008

Following the success of our party for public services we look at how to organise your own anti-racist gig.

Say no way to the third way

Mon, 17 Dec 2007

With the threat posed by third sector involvement as high as ever we continue to oppose attempts to hive off public services to external providers.

Public services not private profit

Mon, 17 Dec 2007

John McDonnell MP, chair of the PCS parliamentary group, provides an update on the joint union campaign to opppose the privatisation of public services.

Q&A: Taking industrial action

Fri, 18 Apr 2008

With many of our members engaged in industrial action we look at the law surrounding this, answering some of the most commonly asked questions.

Q&A: Grievances and tribunals - part one

Fri, 08 Feb 2008

With individual and collective grievances a fact of working life, we look at some of the key considerations for activists - part one of two.

Q&A: Grievances and tribunals - part two

Fri, 08 Feb 2008

With individual and collective grievances a fact of working life, we look at some of the key considerations for activists - part two of two.

Office danger zones

Thu, 01 May 2008

When it comes to health and safety, the law puts a clear onus on our employers to do everything reasonable to protect us. If you are recognised as a disabled person under the Disability Discrimination Act you are also entitled to reasonable adjustments to your employer?s practices and premises so you are not at a disadvantage.

The time of our lives

Thu, 08 May 2008

It may not be talked about in union meetings, or even in the staff canteen, but more and more women are working through the menopause. PCS wants to make sure their needs are recognised

A new era for call centre rights

Tue, 22 Apr 2008

Poor pay, health and safety abuses and unrealistic targets are often part and parcel of working in a call centre. But a new PCS charter aims to change all that

Success is no accident

Fri, 25 Apr 2008

Had an accident? Been injured? Forget the no-win, no-fee deals you've seen on TV and contact PCS?s personal injury scheme instead

A history of the working class

Tue, 22 Apr 2008

The Working Class Movement Library (WCML) is a unique treasure house of books, pamphlets and other objects, which needs our ongoing support to stay open.

Our union, our future

Tue, 22 Apr 2008

As our first elected national young members' committee gets underway we spoke to chair Mark Chisman about his aims and priorities.

Learning to organise

Wed, 30 Apr 2008

PCS education and learning officer Pav Alam looks at how and why to integrate learning with our wider efforts to organise workers and build union strength.

Reps' information service - April

Tue, 22 Apr 2008

An update about current cases, tribunals, and useful reports and links, from our reps' information service.

What has the union ever done for us?

Fri, 25 Apr 2008

We all know that union reps help negotiate pay and conditions but there are lots of other things they do which often go unnoticed, as we found out

A cr�che course in childcare

Sun, 27 Apr 2008

One of the toughest dilemmas any parent faces is when to go back to work, and who will look after our children when we do. Sharon Charity of the Daycare Trust answers some the most common questions

Equality advice line for reps

Thu, 01 May 2008

Reps dealing with individual cases concerning discrimination can get advice and guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Speak up for public services

Mon, 05 May 2008

PCS reps will join colleagues from other public sector unions at a Speak up for Public Services lobby and rally in London.

Staying safe at work

Fri, 09 May 2008

Having problems with your office chair, monitor or keyboard? Worried it may be affecting your health? You don?t have to suffer in silence, says health and safety officer Phil Madelin

Your conference, your issues

Thu, 08 May 2008

PCS reps will converge on Brighton this month for the union's sixth annual delegate conference, our main policy making arena and the heart of the union's democratic structures.

Dear prime minister...

Tue, 13 May 2008

The Defend Council Housing campaign has published a new 40-page pamphlet to put the case to the prime minister to invest in council homes.

Terminal turmoil, PCS members in terminal 5

Fri, 09 May 2008

Instead of fanfares, Heathrow's spanking new Terminal 5 opened to scenes of chaos ? but PCS members continued to provide a service to passengers in this vast new airport

'I am neutral', claims economist

Wed, 14 May 2008

The economist tasked with a review of contracting and outsourcing in the public sector says she wants to take politics "off the table".

The future of public services: who decides?

Fri, 01 Feb 2008

PCS campaigns officer Sarah Kavanagh looks at the appointment of a free market economist to lead a review of public sector provision.

Sign up to save public services

Fri, 16 May 2008

Activists are being urged to lobby their MPs to support a call to save HMRC offices in the Midlands.

Defend Glasgow passport workers

Thu, 19 Jun 2008

Identity and Passport Service activists are urging colleagues to petition the prime minister to defend members following the announcement that jobs are to go at Glasgow passport office.

Add skills into the bargain

Thu, 29 May 2008

We have a real opportunity to put fair access to learning and skills on the bargaining agenda, argues PCS national learning officer David McEvoy.

Take control of your life

Fri, 16 May 2008

A new workbook has been published to help members make decisions about directions they may want to take with their careers or their lives outside work.

Celebrating our culture

Thu, 29 May 2008

PCS's northwest office has been busy organising a series of events to commemorate Liverpool's title of 2008 European capital of culture.

Who says music and politics don't mix?

Fri, 30 May 2008

Thousands of union members will descend on the Dorset village of Tolpuddle next month for the annual martyrs' festival.

And what do you do?

Fri, 30 May 2008

Not all PCS members spend their working day at a desk or behind a computer - some do rather unexpected jobs, as we found out...

Pay's the priority

Fri, 30 May 2008

We've protected our pensions, defended our sick leave and are fighting for our jobs, now we're turning our attention to our wage packets.

From here to maternity

Fri, 30 May 2008

Infertility affects up to three million British couples, many of whom struggle to take time off work for treatment, says PCS's head of equality Pat Campbell.

Taking liberties

Fri, 30 May 2008

The national identity scheme is on its way, and it's going to change everybody's lives, says Christina Zaba of the campaigning organisation NO2ID.

The battle for the old age pension

Fri, 30 May 2008

A century after the introduction of the first ever UK state pension, campaigners are still calling for a decent retirement income for all.

Campaigning comes naturally to young members

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

Over 100,000 PCS members across ten departments took action on 24 April 2008 alongside other public sector workers, including teachers and college lecturers. View from PCS president, Janice Godrich.

More than just a talking shop!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

The National Shop Stewards Network could be a platform for rank and file unionists to begin the fight back for union rights says Mark Chisman, chair of the national young members' committee

A day in the life of a contact centre worker

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

Working conditions in contact centres are an issue for many young members in PCS. We asked a young contact centre worker in the DWP what a typical day is like.

What is globalisation?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

We hear a lot these days about globalisation. But what does it mean for workers around the world? Young Members Organiser, Tracy Edwards seeks to explain.

Campaign against climate change!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

Around 500 trade unionists gathered on 9 February 2008 for a trade union conference called by the Campaign Against Climate Change. This conference, believed to be the first of its kind, came about to address the eminent and serious threat that climate change poses to our world and to begin to develop a strategy to build a mass movement around the issue through the trade unions. Tracy Edwards, Young Members Organiser.

Support the Cubans.

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

Stephen Hallmark from the Cuba Solidarity Campaign explains why we should support Cuba as they fight against the longest trade blockade in modern times.

Training future union leaders

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

Young members' organiser Tracy Edwards reports on a new Young Members training course that was recently piloted at the University of Leicester in April 2008.

Elected national young members' committee meets

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

The first meeting of the newly elected national young members' committee took place on Saturday 8 March 2008 in Leeds. Young members organiser Tracy Edwards reports what they discussed.

Young members have a lot to say!

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

The PCS delegation was one of the most vocal at the TUC young members conference 2008 as James Rolles, London & South East region, reports.

Trade union law explained - a ten point guide

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 took away all trade union laws which union members had fought hard for (in fact, trade union members had more rights 100 years ago). The Act introduced more protection for the employer against unions taking industrial action (or strike action).

Why is climate change a trade union issue?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008

This year PCS received so many motions for annual delegate conference (ADC) that an entire section of the agenda is devoted to green issues. We look at some of the reasons why climate change is definitely an issue for trade unions.

PCS at Glastonbury

Thu, 26 Jun 2008

PCS once again has a presence at Left Field at this years Glastonbury Festival. Festival goers are able to find out about our campaigns by visiting the PCS stall. There will also be PCS speakers in the Left Field tent including deputy general secretary Hugh Lanning who will be talking about our international work with unions across the world on Thursday, and general secretary Mark Serwotka who joins Tony Benn for his Sunday lunchtime debate.

Working families, juggling priorities

Mon, 30 Jun 2008

PCS research officer Pam Cole explains what is covered in our updated factsheets to help members balance their work and home lives.

The leaders of tomorrow

Mon, 30 Jun 2008

Eastern region young members' convenor Alan Warner, of Norfolk and Suffolk DWP branch, explains why he got active in our union.

Q&A: Sex discrimination in the workplace

Mon, 30 Jun 2008

We look at how important changes to the Sex Discrimination Act in April this year extend protections against harassment and pregnancy discrimination.

Proud at Pride - campaigning for LGBT rights

Tue, 01 Jul 2008

PCS Proud is once again making its mark at the TUC LGBT conference and at London Pride celebrations this week. We speak to Jeff Grist, chair of Proud.