Conference day 2: Taking action on pay and standing with Palestine
Solidarity with Palestine and resolve for a campaign on pay were among passionate debates in Brighton on day 2 of PCS conference.
PCS will hold a national ballot of members no later than mid-September if there is not satisfactory progress on our demands on pay and job security.
Annual delegate conference today voted in favour of motion A383 which instructed the NEC to build a campaign “on the widest possible basis” to defeat attacks on the civil service.
PCS confirmed its unwavering solidarity towards the Palestinian people, condemning Israel for its “genocide” in Gaza. We are calling on the government to recognise Palestine as a sovereign, independent state and to work towards an immediate ceasefire.
Conference also endorsed the new national organising strategy and agreed to campaign to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment for all pensioners.
Delegates also passed a motion which rejected the Sullivan Review.
Solidarity with striking bin workers
There were two standing ovations for Birmingham bin strikers, Billy and John, who addressed conference in the afternoon.
An all-out strike by Unite members over plans to downgrade some roles, which the union says could cost workers £8,000 a year, began on 11 March, following weeks of intermittent walkouts.
Conference motion A23 demanded assessment, scrutiny and regulation in the face of government’s knee-jerk enthusiasm for artificial intelligence.
Four distinguished life memberships were awarded at PCS conference this afternoon to Clive Bryant, Ian Fitzpatrick, Zita Holbourne and Mark Serwotka.
Winners of organising and communications awards were announced and presented, acknowledging the incredible work our activists do to build PCS and win for our members.
Winners will also have olive trees planted in Palestine in recognition of their work in support of the Trees for Life initiative.
We also covered fringe meetings on the battle for green bargaining and the role the union movement has to play in standing against the economy of warfare.
Read more news from conference.
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