Vote YES to retain our political voice and campaigning strength

What is a political fund?

The PCS political fund provides our members with a strong campaigning voice in parliament and beyond, allowing us to take members’ issues to the heart of Westminster and devolved nation parliaments. The fund gives us the ability to campaign on vital issues like pay, jobs, privatisation and equality issues. It also supports our vital anti-racist, anti-fascist work, of which PCS is at forefront of the trade union movement. Without the political fund we would be legally unable to spend any money on political campaigning activities.

Why is the vote happening in 2025?

Trade unions are legally required to hold a ballot every 10 years to retain their political fund. PCS last held a ballot in 2015 and our members voted overwhelmingly to retain the fund. Although the employment rights bill proposes to change the law regarding political funds, this is unlikely to come into effect this year meaning we may be one of the last unions legally required to hold such a ballot, before the bill becomes law.

PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Our union remains one of the strongest campaigning unions, putting our members’ concerns at the forefront of our political and industrial work. It is therefore vital that to continue to have the strongest possible voice for our members we vote to retain our political fund. Members overwhelmingly voted YES in 2015 and since then our campaigning work has gone from strength to strength. Given the trajectory of the current government, we need to ensure our political voice remains strong. Vote YES, vote to retain, vote to continue our campaigns.”

Who can vote in the ballot?

All PCS members are eligible to vote in the ballot and it is vital that we encourage as many members as possible to exercise this democratic right and retain our fund. It is our campaigning voice politically and industrially.

How do I vote?

The ballot is postal; members will receive a ballot paper in the post from 6 October onwards with a paid return envelope. Ballots will need to be returned before Wednesday, 5 November for them to be counted by the independent scrutineer. Members must therefore ensure that all of their details are updated on PCS digital to ensure they not only receive their ballot papers but so we can keep you up to date on all information related to the ballot, the result and other PCS issues.

Does our political fund mean we are affiliated to a political party?

No. PCS is a non-affiliated trade union. Our political fund allows us to campaign for members on a wide range of issues, regardless of the government of the day. Our political fund supports the work of our parliamentary groups across UK parliaments and assemblies, on a cross-party basis.

Will my subs go up if we retain the fund?

No. Your union subs will not be affected by the ballot result, and you are not charged extra for paying into a political fund.

I’m a member in Northern Ireland, do I have a vote, too?

Yes, we are asking you to vote yes to retaining our political fund. The only difference is that Northern Ireland members have to opt into the fund.

Use your voice, your vote for your union.