Conference day 3 round-up

The final day of our annual delegate conference saw delegates vote to expand and deepen our anti-racism and anti-fascism work, debate motions on union finance and social and economic issues and hear from guest speaker, MP John McDonnell.

Conference voted to expand and deepen ARAF work and unite workers

PCS recommitted to carrying out anti-racism and anti-fascism work and organise behind the demand: workers’ unity not division – jobs and homes not racism.

The finance report was presented by assistant general secretary John Moloney

Members agreed PCS would lobby government to increase awareness of gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis and the debilitating impact they can have on workers. Conference also backed calls for menstrual leave and free period products. 

In the face of growing poverty and marginalisation of vulnerable groups, conference also backed a motion to rebuild social security.

Delegates also voted to provide £2000 to support the Women Chainmakers’ Festival which takes place every year in Cradley Heath in the West Midlands.

The PCS Parliamentary Group Report was presented by guest speaker and group chair John McDonnell, MP. 

He said our union’s potential to shift the balance of wealth and power in favour of working people is “enormous”.

“But what it needs is what you've been debating here today. It’s that key ingredient that we discovered as a movement and that is our very foundation – solidarity.”

Outgoing PCS President Martin Cavanagh closed conference with a stirring speech. He said: “It has been an honour and privilege to serve as president for the past two years or so,” he said. He wished his successor Bev Laidlaw all the best for the year ahead.