A message from the PCS General Secretary and National President

As national president and general secretary, we take our responsibilities very seriously. We are seeking to work together to build a strong and united trade union that delivers for members at the bargaining table on jobs, pay and terms and conditions.

We acknowledge that there may be differing views between us on a range of issues. We consider that healthy in a democracy and we will seek to resolve those differences in a constructive manner.

At the national executive committee meeting on 11 June 2026, there was a disagreement between us on a procedural matter. The union’s rules, procedures and governing arrangements are important provisions for the functioning of the organisation in order to protect and promote the interests of members.

The national executive committee met yesterday and, without prejudice to anyone’s position on the procedural point at issue, agreed to adopt a process to get the union’s business back on track.

One immediate consequence of this accord is that our members in Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will now be authorised to take much needed industrial action to defend themselves against the attack on their livelihoods by the employer who intends to cut jobs. 

We are both committed to helping our members win that dispute; as well as any other disputes involving PCS members.

Our union exists to protect and promote the interests of its members. We are deeply committed to that objective and we will do all we can to deliver on it.

Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary               Bev Laidlaw, PCS National President