Rejecting division is the way we win
For his column for PCS People, Martin writes about why it is important that we stand together against racism and the far right.
PCS is a founding member of the Together Alliance – a coalition of unions, charities and community organisations, standing together against racism and the far right.
Sometimes people ask me why we get involved in issues outside our core work of defending members in their workplaces.
My answer is simple – while improving our members’ pay, job security, and terms and conditions will always be our bread and butter, this too is core to what we are about as a trade union. Our job is to unite people in their workplaces, and communities, because that’s the only way we win. Division only weakens us – and they want to have us squabbling among ourselves so they can rip us off.
Just read Reform’s manifesto at the last election: it advocated cuts in public services, cuts in public sector jobs, cuts to social security, and attacks on trade unions – with great big tax cuts for the super-rich.
So, it matters who you vote for in the elections on 7 May, and that you register to vote by 20 April.
PCS is an independent union – we’re not affiliated to any political party. Our whole purpose is to stand up for members, and the services you provide. And that is why we must reject the division and the damage that Reform would bring.
Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice MP, is a proud tax dodger who said the idea we “pay the maximum tax we possibly can” is “the road to ruin”. That’s after he set up structures to avoid £600,000 in tax.
That’s not patriotism. It shows he thinks that ‘tax is for the little people’. With his second home in Dubai, he doesn’t care what public services are like in Britain, because he doesn’t rely on them.
I am massively proud of our members’ work and the wins we’ve achieved in our workplaces. It’s been a pleasure to join the pickets. And strikes win – members in the Met Police, Tate Gallery and British Library have all won better pay deals as a result of action. ONS members are the first in a government body to defeat an office attendance mandate.
I’ve met members at a host of branch AGMs, our group organisers’ forum, PCS Scotland ADC and North West TUC – and taken concerns about Capita direct to MPs in parliament.
The energy of our members and reps is inspiring. So it’s no wonder our membership has reached 190,000 – the highest for around two years.
That’s the union of which I am proud to be president: bigger, better
and united. Let’s keep up the great work.