Activate: Why I won a TUC rep of the year award
A PCS rep recently won the award for TUC Rep of the Year for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber. In a blog, she writes about her journey as an activist and discusses what effective union organising looks like.
When I found out I’d been awarded the TUC Rep of the Year for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, my first reaction was genuine surprise. I’m not someone who’s ever chased recognition.
My approach as a rep has always been simple: be there for members and support them as best you can. That’s why the award meant so much. It felt like recognition not just of me, but of the collective effort it takes to organise effectively.
Our branch represents around 750 members across more than 20 workplaces, many of which don’t have local reps. Organising in a geographically dispersed branch isn’t easy, but what makes it possible is the strength and solidarity of our members.
Digital tools have been vital in keeping people connected - helping us share information, organise collectively and make sure no one feels isolated just because they’re working remotely or in a smaller office.
My journey as a rep goes all the way back to 2002, when I joined the Inland Revenue and attended my first PCS induction session. Not long after that, I needed support from PCS due to health issues - and the union was brilliant.
Something clicked for me at that moment. I remember thinking: I’d like to be able to do this for other people. That feeling never left.
My first step into activism was becoming a union learning rep. I said yes to every piece of training I could, including completing an NVQ Level 4 in Information, Advice and Guidance. I organised learning events and functional skills training at Benton Park View, and seeing members grow in confidence and capability was incredibly rewarding.
From there, I moved into branch and BEC roles. If I’m honest, it wasn’t always smooth sailing at the start. There were challenges and moments when things felt tough. But none of that ever dulled my enthusiasm. Even when things were difficult, it never stopped me loving being a PCS rep. If anything, it reinforced why the role matters.
Today, I’m branch secretary of the Defra northern branch, representing members across the North East, Yorkshire and Eastern Scotland - a role that’s as challenging as it is rewarding. Alongside that, I’m also very proud to serve as Efra Group vice-president.
Building capacity
A huge part of my focus now is encouraging more members to step up as reps. Building capacity is essential not just to share the workload, but to make sure the union remains rooted in members’ real, everyday experiences.
Looking back, there are several organising wins I’m proud of. One that really stands out is the move to regional branches within the EFRA group. That change started with a motion I submitted to group conference.
At the time, branches were employer-based, which just didn’t make sense, particularly for a small, geographically spread employer like the Marine Management Organisation, where I work.
Colleagues were siloed despite sharing the same offices, and personal casework often meant hours of travel for short meetings. Moving to regional branches was, for me, an absolute no-brainer - and it’s made a real difference.
In my experience, the most effective union organising is honest and focused on issues members genuinely care about. The EFRA four-day week campaign is a great example. It generated huge interest, sparked conversations, and brought new activists into the union.
We also saw a surge in membership when Lancaster House closed and people moved into Tyneside House. Suddenly, members had shared concerns, and that’s when collective discussions — and collective power — really start to grow.
Of course, there are obstacles. Time is always a challenge: arranging meetings, AGMs and events isn’t easy. Employer-union relations have also been hostile at times. But I’m hopeful.
With new provisions in the Employment Rights Act starting to take effect, I believe we’ll see positive change ahead.
In the meantime, our priority remains building our rep base. Just in the last couple of weeks we’ve recruited two new reps and two new health and safety reps. We’re especially keen to encourage members from smaller offices and workplaces to step up, so everyone has access to local support.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: union organising only works when people stand up. So my advice to PCS members is simple: get involved. Put your hand up. Ask the awkward questions. Challenge things that don’t feel right.