PCS Distinguished Life Memberships presented

PCS president Martin Cavanagh announced the two recipients of a PCS Distinguished Life Membership during this afternoon’s session. The awards were presented to the two members by general secretary Fran Heathcote.

Kevin McHugh

Kevin first became active in CPSA in the 1970s as a local rep in the DHSS Newcastle Central office branch. He quickly became the branch chair of what was the largest branch in the union with over 10,000 members. He was a well-known speaker at DHSS section conferences and once delighted the delegates when, despite the hot weather outside, he spoke on a motion about cold offices wearing a duffel coat, woolly hat and balaclava!

In the late 1970s, Kevin was elected DHSS section chair, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the role. He led the group for over 10 years through tumultuous times, battling both the right wing and Thatcher’s government’s attacks on both members and benefit claimants.

Kevin spent as much time as possible on the road meeting with reps and members. He was a skilled and tough negotiator and an inspirational speaker at meetings.

In the 1980s the DHSS section was involved in a large number of disputes, including the historic shift workers’ strike at Newcastle Central office, the fight against employing members of the National Front in some local offices, against the introduction of casual and fixed term appointments and office closure campaigns.

After being transferred to Revenue and Customs, Kevin became active in the Newcastle R&C branch and was elected as a member of the group executive.

Following the merger of PTC & CPSA to form PCS he was elected as a member of the PCS national executive committee before becoming a vice president, a position he held until his retirement.

Paul Williams

Paul started with the property service agency in 1982 where he became an activist. He continued to be a key member of varying branches in DVLC and then Highways Agency before eventually joining the Driving Standards Agency, becoming the group president in 2003. Paul continued in the role when DSA became DVSA, up to his retirement in 2024.

Paul led the group through numerous pay and pension disputes and the negotiations on modernising employment contracts and check off. He led on industrial issues including attempts to change working practices for front line staff such as the 8-test day. Paul was also the long-serving secretary of the DfT East Midlands branch, taking it from strength to strength.

Paul took the role as group president for the Department for Transport in 2003. During his time as group president, Paul led on numerous campaigns, protecting members’ pay and conditions. However, due to his position and hard work, Paul became a target and was subjected to victimisation and a campaign to remove him from his job. However, due to Paul’s strength and conviction, and support form PCS comrades, he successfully mounted legal action. His battle resulted in a landmark win that acted as a beacon of what can be achieved when one stands up for their rights, to all other reps and members.