Stewards needed for historic march in Cheltenham

This would be an opportunity to get involved with a historic PCS-TUC event that is expected to attract trade unionists from across the UK.

It gives members a chance to a play special role in supporting the event, which will commemorate the GCHQ workers' victory and recommit the labour movement to defiant opposition to minimum service levels, trade union restrictions and any threat to the right to strike.

Members can register their interest in becoming a steward at the event using our sign-up form.

Announced at the TUC special congress in London in December, this joint PCS/TUC march and rally will take place through Cheltenham on 27 January to mark the 40th anniversary of the ban on trade union membership at GCHQ.

If you are not interested in helping to steward the event, you are still encouraged to attend. Please register your attendance for the event with the TUC as soon as possible.

Alongside musical entertainment, several high-profile speakers from across the trade union movement, along with many members who were involved (or their families), are expected to speak at the event, including sacked GCHQ worker Alan Rowland.

Mark Serwotka, who retires as general secretary of PCS at the end of January, will give a speech, while PCS president and general secretary-elect Fran Heathcote will compere the rally.

Among those who have already been confirmed to speak from the wider movement are TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak; FDA President Tony Wallace; Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy; Aslef General Secretary Mick Whelan; and Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea.

There will also be speakers at the rally representing sectors that will be affected by the minimum services legislation which threatens to strip the right to strike from thousands of our members in the Home Office.

The march is planned to start at Cheltenham's Montpellier Gardens at noon and end with a rally in Pittville Park. There will be a small covered area in the park for those who need it.

Coaches are being provided to take members to the march on 27 January. Please contact the organisers of the transport for details of pick-up times and locations as they are subject to change/confirmation.

If you don't see details of transport from your area, please contact your local PCS office. You can book the tickets through the links provided and claim the cost back from PCS or email campaigns@pcs.org.uk to book them on your behalf.