Join the cross-union summit to shake up social security
PCS members in DWP, disabled activists and jobseekers will come together in Bristol on 6 June to discuss what a fair and supportive social security system should look like.
Service delivery is failing jobseekers and disabled people, while the department is understaffed and overworked. And the event, which runs from 11am to 4.30pm, will establish a broad union campaign with definite aims and a solid rationale and political strength.
With speeches and workshops, the discussions are open to PCS members, as well as members of campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts and Unite Community.
What needs to change?
Two groups of people know what needs to change. One group is the staff who work incredibly hard to deliver but are constantly hamstrung by managers, ministers and chronic understaffing. The other group is made up of those who are most dependent on services: jobseekers and people with disabilities that impact their work.
The summit will draw together these two sets of expertise: staff who are fighting a failing system, and the people who are failed by that system. With an agreed agenda of change, based on evidence and experience, unions can get behind a campaign to deliver better services for a fairer society.
Speakers include:
- Keynote Speaker - Fran Heathcote General Secretary PCS
- Chair – Martin Cavanagh PCS DWP Group Vice President
- Angela Grant - PCS DWP Group President
- Sharon Harding - Unite National Equalities Officer
- Ellen Morrison - DPAC executive and Unite member
- Matt Allen - Unite South West Regional Secretary
- Sharlene Farrugia - PHD student Manchester Met University.
Get involved
The summit runs at Tony Benn House, Bristol, BS1 6AY from 11am to 4.30pm. Doors open at 10am.
Details of speakers, workshops and accessibility are on the registration page.
Travel, lunch and subsidence are provided. For any queries, contact [email protected]