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National pay ballot

National Pay Ballot – 24 September to 17 October 2008

Update

The national pay ballot is now underway. The ballot ends on 17th October, following which the NEC will meet to finalise the date for the first national action.

In the event of a ‘YES’ vote, national action is expected to start at the end of October (we do not have any definitive dates yet), followed by waves of ‘sectoral’, group-based action to run for three months until the end of January 09 (a list of groups included in each sector is attached). An overtime ban will also be in place during the period of action.

Meetings

All branches should already have started holding members meetings, in order to build as much momentum as possible to deliver a ‘YES’ vote. Groups are responsible for helping you to co-ordinate your branch meetings and providing speakers.

For those branches that don’t feel they are part of a clear group structure and/or need some assistance, they should contact the PCS Regional office.

The ballot and any subsequent action should not come as a surprise to members. If it is not possible to hold members meetings, you must make sure that any communication with members includes face to face. You might also want to consider some of the following:

Communicating with members

  • Talk to members one to one
  • Leaflet all members in the workplace (two days before the meeting)
  • Issue branch newsletters
  • Circulate national union publicity, including the petition
  • Use e-mails only to supplement one to one contact and leafleting
  • Talk to non-members about the campaign and encourage them to join the union
  • Produce branch specific campaign materials to engage members
  • Encourage members to write to their local MP

Branch actions

  • Organise members meetings
  • Inform regional office of the meetings once you’ve arranged them
  • Contact your group if your require a speaker
  • Build support for a ‘Yes’ vote

Resources

The Regional office can give branches support and practical help with:

Recruiting new members

The run up to the pay ballot and subsequent strike action gives us an excellent opportunity for recruitment. Pay is an issue that affects us all and one we can use to engage members and potential members.

If you have any issues around recruitment and need help or support, please contact the regional office.

Make Your Vote Count

Branches should also be using the campaign to continue their excellent work around ‘Make Your Vote Count’. We are aiming to maintain pressure on all of the candidates who responded during this year’s election period and also those who we challenged in 2007.

Finally

A big thank you for all the hard work, so far. I hope we can work together to make the campaign as successful as possible.
 

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