PCS conference day 1 round-up: “Unite on common ground”
Campaigning for jobs and fair pay, fighting the far-right and building a wide movement to oppose the government’s vicious welfare cuts, were among the highlights on the conference floor and fringes as PCS annual delegate conference began in Brighton
PCS President Martin Cavanagh called delegates to “unite on common ground” in his speech to conference today.
“As the far right grows more visible and emboldened in our communities, in our workplaces and across social media, we must restate our commitments to opposing and challenging fascism, racism, and all forms of discrimination and bigotry, wherever it raises its head,” he said.
Making strides
PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote in her annual report speech reflected on a year in which the union has made strides.
“Since we last met here in Brighton, we have seen the Tories kicked out and the election of a Labour government,” she said. “We’ve seen the rise of the far right – both on the streets and at the ballot box; and we’ve seen our union make strides in the courts and industrially – and I think we need to reflect on all of that this week as we take decisions for the coming year.
“We all know there are threats to jobs in many areas of government – and we will be fighting to defend jobs, and indeed to expand the civil service where we can make that case.”
The motions on pensions were the first to be heard by conference delegates today.
Vicious welfare cuts
The need to build as wide a movement as possible to oppose the government’s vicious welfare cuts was discussed at a conference lunchtime fringe meeting.
Fran told the meeting: “The government’s attacks on disability benefits are an attack on working class communities. They are trying to balance the books on the backs of disabled people. Instead, they should strengthen anti-discrimination law, invest in training, eliminate sanctions, and create jobs. Similar cuts were proposed by the Tories in 2016 and were defeated - these cuts can be defeated, too.”
“The case for a four-day week is stronger than it's ever been,” a lunchtime fringe heard today.
Alongside a call for a four-day week, the meeting heard how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can radically transform working conditions and improve pay for members.
You can also read our “need for tax justice” report which has been published today.
Read more news from conference.
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