PCS conference day 1 round-up

General secretary Fran Heathcote addressed the opening of PCS conference with reasons for optimism despite the issues facing our members and the country.

In moving her annual report as the conference opened in Brighton today (19), Fran said there are “many reasons why we can and should be hopeful that together we can overcome those obstacles”. 

She said this was especially true if the union maximises its strength by staying united against the threats we face such as attacks on members’ jobs, political uncertainty and the looming spectre of a future Reform government which – if in power – would launch an assault on our members on a scale not seen before,

Stand together

With his presidential term coming to an end this week, Martin Cavanagh told conference that it had been an "honour and privilege” to represent PCS on a national level. “I am proud of the fact,” he said, “that our membership is bigger now than when I began my term.

“When we stand together, when we’re organised, we can win,” he added. “When we are divided, we run the risk of failing.”

The first motions to be debated at this year’s PCS annual delegate conference were motions A1 and A342 on pensions.

Moving motion A342 for DWP West Hampshire branch, Reece said: “Privatisation of our pensions has been a disaster, and that’s what happens when you put profit as the motive in delivering any service.” 

He said: “The government should take the contract back from Capita, the precedent is there.”

PCS also passed motion A344 which pledged to continue work on a cross-union basis to mobilise, educate and embolden members to challenge Reform and their abhorrent political ideologies while calling for electoral reform.

Marianne Owens, who moved the motion on behalf of our national executive committee, said: “I think we need to be clear Reform are not our friends, they are the biggest threat."

National campaign

Motion A375, moved by Dave from DfE North West and North Wales branch, which called for the NEC to build and launch a national campaign and to coordinate with fellow public sector unions on potential strike action, was passed by delegates. The motion instructed the NEC to submit a national claim on pay and related issues both nationally and at delegated level immediately following the close of conference. It also demanded urgent plans be put in place to prepare the union for a major national campaign covering all outstanding matters of dispute with the UK Government and to discuss the possibility of coordinated pressure on the government, including by coordinated strikes alongside all public sector unions. 

You can access the ADC 2026 conference guide and all relevant information on PCS Knowledge.

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