PCS President urges members to have their say in survey

PCS is consulting members between 20 February and 5 March on the next steps of our campaign. We are sending an email to all UK civil service and Scottish devolved sector members with a personalised survey link.

PCS acting president Martin Cavanagh said in a short video aimed at activists that PCS reps need to maximise engagement in this consultation phase so that the NEC can gauge whether members are ready to move to a statutory ballot in early March.

“It is a big ask to engage in such a short period of time with members,” he said.

“But the one thing that we’ve seen for the last 18 months is that, when asked, you step up the challenge. You engage and you ensure members have their say. This is what we need right now.”

Martin urged activists to hold members meetings and engage face-to-face with members in the workplace, and to “use methods you’ve successful used over the past two years to engage even with members who work remotely.”

This is a crucial organising exercise that allows activists to speak to all members to encourage them to vote in the survey.

It also gives activists the opportunity to carry out a data cleansing of workplace and grade information, to help members update their details on PCS Digital, and to organise recruitment activities to strengthen union power within workplaces.

To assist activists during this phase of outreach with members, PCS encourages the use of the Organising Hub, and will be running strike schools throughout March and engaging with activists and senior lay reps across the union.

Read more about the national campaign on our website, including a Frequently Asked Questions article and guidance and resources for reps and branches to ensure they’re ballot-ready.