Public and Commercial Services Union

A plan for 2008-09 has been drawn up by PCS Wales staff, together with Wales Committee officers.

It has been circulated to branches and discussed in detail by the PCS Wales Committee. 

The final version, which has been refined through this process, is set out below. It will provide the framework for all the union's activities in Wales in the course of the present year.

Themes

• Education
• Workplace learning
• Organising
• Equality
• Health and safety
• Campaigning
• Influencing government and policy development
• Communications and media

Education

Actions

• Review PCS Wales course structures, branch /group materials to implement the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) 2008-09
• Develop Advanced Leadership Training
• Work with Wales TUC to develop Union Learning Rep (ULR) Stage 2 training in readiness for Wales TUC ULR Access course
• Continue to support the Wales Education Forum that will meet up to 4 times a year
• Deliver core education programme
• Review and issue training needs analysis to support the education programme
• Undertake post course monitoring – stencils to Wales TUC colleges and individual learner contact
• Review lay tutor network – introduce a consolidation programme for lay tutors
• Establish the Branch Learning Coordinator network
• Establish the demand for courses delivered in Welsh, review the potential to train tutors, work with other unions to ensure course viability.
• Offer course materials in Welsh if requested
• Create a refresher training course programme for established reps
• Identify issues of relevance and organise 1 day seminars
• Introduce and implement the PCS National Trade Union Education review when released
• Fully utilise the PCS Wales webpage to update re the core education programme

Workplace learning

Actions

• Work with branches with the aim of at least one active ULR per branch and encourage participation in other important aspects of union activity.
• Hold ULR Conference and consider North or Mid Wales as venue.
• Support Regional ULR fora. Encourage the creation of branch/fora action plans and sharing of best practice.
• Establish a communication channel between the networks.
• Submit Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF) bid for the 2009-11 round and roll out project, if successful.
• Deliver on the objectives in our Skills for Life (WULF) project.
• Explore the possibility of ULRs working closely with branch organisers in relation to mapping / recruitment and organising.
• Support and encourage branches to set up or expand workplace learning facilities / learning centres.
• Issue guidance. Work with Wales TUC to pilot the ULR access course and issue briefing for reps.
• Hold seminar for ULRs on grant applications and recording / monitoring processes.

Organising

Actions

• Every branch in Wales to have a branch organiser recorded on Commix.
• Promote the National Organising Strategy with particular emphasis increasing the number and coverage of reps in Wales and recording them on Commix.
• Hold four meetings of the Wales organising forum to manage and deliver the objectives in this plan.
• Submit all-Wales mapping reports to Wales Committee.
• Re-launch the Wales young members’ network. 
• Arrange inaugural meeting.
• Liaise with PCS Wales education forum on holding organising courses Provide practical support and advice to Branches to undertake their mapping responsibilities and the production of organising plans.
• Hold a forum meeting for call centre reps in Wales by September 2009. Welsh branches to maintain accurate Commix recording and provide density information.
• Develop a PCS Wales organising communication plan which includes regular updating of the PCS Wales web pages.

Equality

Actions

• Hold meetings of PCS Wales equality networks to manage and deliver the objectives in this plan.
• Facilitate pan-equality activity and hold a pan-equality conference.
• Publicise findings of Glamorgan Business School bullying project and implement recommendations
• Develop a PCS Wales equality communication plan which includes equality briefings and regular updating of the PCS Wales web pages.
• Work with PCS Wales education forum on holding equality related training courses, including bespoke courses and maximising attendance.
• Work closely with the Wales TUC, Equality & Human Rights Commission and others on Welsh equality projects as well as developing links with other anti-fascist organisations.
• Deliver the Union Modernisation Fund bid on mentoring women activists.
• Commence a campaign to increase awareness of equality impact assessments. Work towards ensuring every branch has an equality rep.
• Hold an equality reps meeting /seminar. Increase and improve awareness of age, religious legislation /discrimination, race, LGBT issues and hate crime.

Health and safety

Actions

• Create a database of health and safety representatives.
• Establish a PCS Wales health and safety reps forum with a liaison officer from Wales Committee.
• Run a PCS Wales stress awareness campaign.
• Carry out a training needs analysis of health and safety reps in Wales.
• Promote our health and safety work as part of our organising agenda.
• Increase the number of health and safety reps in Wales with the aim of having at least one rep in each major workplace to protect members.
• Work with PCS lawyers to raise awareness of legal issues and promote legal services for members in Wales.
• Develop a PCS Wales health and safety communication plan which includes briefings and regular updating of the PCS Wales web pages.

Campaigning

Actions

• Develop the area campaign committees to deliver effective local campaign activity and political lobbying.
• Re-establish Wales disputes committee as a campaign forum, meeting quarterly (or more frequently, if necessary), planning all-Wales campaigning activity and helping area campaign groups to sustain activity.
• Liaise with other unions on joint campaigning and promote greater collaboration through the Wales TUC and through active branch involvement in local trades councils.
• Develop a PCS Wales campaigning communication plan which includes briefings and regular updating of PCS Wales web pages, involving Wales Committee members and branch reps in this work.
• Develop action plan to promote environmental campaigning activity.
• Work with anti-fascist organisations and involve members in combating racism.
• Produce Wales-specific campaigning guides, and information sheets.

Influencing government and policy development

Actions

• Integrate the ‘Make Your Vote Count’ campaign into all campaigning activity in Wales and seek to engage all branches.
• Provide regular briefings to MPs/AMs, ensuring that all branches have an opportunity to contribute.
• Hold meetings with ministers as issues arise.
• Hold three meetings of all-party Assembly group and attempt to ensure consistent representation from all parties.
• Promote PCS members interests and the wider social justice agenda through the Wales TUC and other like-minded organisations.
• Liaise with academic institutions to explore the potential for collaborative research in support of PCS arguments on key union issues.
• Maintain our relationship with the Bevan Foundation and other relevant campaigning groups and think-tanks.
• Continue to play a key role on the Wales Public Service Forum in the development of social partnership in Wales.
• Hold a PCS Wales Assembly reception.

Communications and media

Actions

• Review PCS Wales communications, including a survey of branches, and implement recommendations.
• Remodel PCS Wales pages on national website and promote the pages to members and activists.
• Provide media training and follow up support for activists and develop network of reps who can act as PCS spokespersons for local media.
• Implement the revised PCS bilingual policy.
• Communicate plan and progress reports on the website, involving Wales Committee members and branch reps in providing updates.
• Issue press releases and respond to media enquiries. Produce regular bulletins giving concise updates on the work of PCS Wales committees and fora.
• Commission production of a PCS Wales banner.