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Campaign update and next steps

1 March 2010

Late last week, the NEC and the National Campaigns Liaison Group met to decide our next steps following the positive members' ballot result. This now means that industrial action is going ahead on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 March 2010. This is our number one priority and we need to ensure it is a success if we are to persuade the Government back to the negotiating table.

Here is an update on what we have done already, our next steps in Wales and some  arrangements for next week.

Rally

The main PCS Wales rally will take place in Cardiff:

  • Date: Monday 8 March 2010
  • Venue: Reardon Smith Lecture Theatre, National Museum Cardiff (entrance via Park Place).
  • Time: 11.00 am - 12.30 pm
  • Speakers: will include national PCS speaker, guests from other unions and politicians.

The rally will be chaired by Katrine Williams, PCS Wales Committee Chair.

I cannot stress enough the importance of members attending this rally if at all possible. The public and media perceptions of the success of our action in response to the unilateral changes to redundancy terms will be heavily influenced by the attendance at the Cardiff rally. A flyer will be available soon.

There are likely to be other events organised across Wales by area campaign committees – details to follow.

Area campaign meetings

Meetings have been arranged this week in Swansea, Wrexham, Newport and Cardiff to agree local activities and arrangements. It is important for reps in these areas to attend or otherwise engage with their local committee, which will play a key role in promoting support for next week amongst members, as well as influencing politicians, dealing with the local media and co-ordinating picketing arrangements.

Media

The ballot result generated coverage in the Welsh media. Further coverage during the lead up to the Rally, and on the day itself, will be very important to keep the matter high up the agenda. Guidance will be issued soon from this office on how to handle the media in respect of our dispute and the key points we need to make when being interviewed or issuing press releases.

Political dimension

We have sent a detailed briefing on our dispute to all Welsh MPs and AMs including members of the our Assembly and Parliamentary Groups. Over the weekend, we leafleted the Welsh Labour party conference in Swansea. The reaction to the PCS presence from many delegates, particularly the trade union delegates from affiliated unions, was very positive, with most expressing their support for PCS members. A delegation from Wales will be at the national lobby of Parliament on Wednesday, 3 March. I have formally requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Wales.

It is important that we also encourage members to contact their MPs and express concerns about the proposed cut in contractual redundancy entitlements. If at all possible, members should arrange visits to their MPs' advice surgeries next Friday and Saturday (5/6 March), as we need MPs to put pressure on the government to negotiate.

Communications

PCS will continue to use our website for key communications - pleasem check it on a regular basis.

Thanks again for all your assistance. Let’s all work hard to ensure that the action – including the overtime ban, and the activity planned on 8/9 March is successful.

Checklist

All members:

Branch reps:

  • Engage with your area campaign committee
  • Have a supply of PCS materials
  • Make sure your branch members understand the importance of supporting the strike action.

Peter Harris
PCS Wales Secretary
peterh@pcs.org.uk
 

 

 

 


 

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