Tell us why you’ve voted

Our online consultative ballot, which closes on 31 August, is asking you whether you agree with the union’s plan for the next steps in our campaign on pay, pensions, redundancy terms and job security.

It’s important that as many members as possible vote in our ballot to endorse the way forward with our campaign. Read all you need to know about the ballot.

Jimmy, who works for the DBS, describes himself as a militant who “would get every single member of PCS out [on strike] until we won”, if he could.

However, he recognises that this approach is “not realistic these days”: “[We should] hold off a little bit and try to negotiate. I think we’ve made big steps with the cost of living payment and the actual raises we got…. It’s steps in the right direction.”

Angie, who works for DWP, told us she’s voting yes because she wants PCS to continue with the campaign. In her workplace she says, “it’s been absolutely buzzing – the atmosphere, the positivity, more members joining the union, ordinary members on the picket lines”. Although “members realise that this isn’t the 10% we asked for”, we got “the best deal we could”, she adds.

Also working in DWP, Saul believes that the time is right “to take stock and see where we can get with the delegated negotiations so we can make an informed decision about where we go next”.

Allie from the Home Office says that she voted because it’s “a good idea to take stock and review the progress so far, and see what’s going to happen in the future”.

Maz, who works for the DBS, argues that our industrial action “proved that we are strong, that we are united, and that we are going to fight for better pay” but that “it’s fair to pause for a minute” for departmental pay talks.

If you would like to share the reasons why you have voted in this ballot, please email editor@pcs.org.uk

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