'This last week of the ballot is crucial'
Sultana writes about why DWP members should vote yes in the strike ballot and what she will be doing to help us win the ballot.
I voted yes for strike action because DWP workers have been underpaid for over a decade. With prices still soaring for even basic food items, our wages are not keeping up with the extremely high cost of living.
This last week of the ballot - which closes on 23 February - is crucial for members who have yet to vote. Everyone needs to make their membership count and vote yes. We all deserve a pay rise.
Once you have received your postal ballot, please kindly mark your yes vote with an X, post it and let your union rep know you have voted. Encourage all your fellow members to do the same.
Over the past few weeks, me and my branch have been busy trying to encourage members to have their say in the ballot.
We have been leafleting at lunchtimes, speaking to colleagues, recording votes and keeping a track of who has received their ballot paper. In my region, some colleagues have even been dressing up as post-boxes to remind members to post their ballot!
This hard work will continue into the final days of the ballot period. Our plan is to hold more meetings with members and motivate those who haven’t voted to post their ballot before 23 February.
PCS activists - whether from the DWP or other groups - can also sign up to our phone-banking platform, Movement, to help call DWP members to ensure that they've voted. Get involved and help us to win a fair deal.
We stand ready to strike for the fairer pay that we all deserve and need. All that is needed is one final push to get this ballot over the line. We can do this together!