Young members' advisory committee member

With encouragement from a workplace rep in my old branch, Charlie McDevitt, I became a workplace rep myself. I would come to him with collective issues my work area had and with names of the members it was impacting. He asked if I ever considered being a rep as he said I had organised the work area well. I had kept records of everything my colleagues had come to me with and got a lot of people signed up as PCS members. I have learned its important everyone gets involved in their union as the union are the workforce; the union are colleagues uniting to have each other's back.

Winning the pay ballot is one of the most important things we can do for getting the pay we deserve. When we win this, we will have the legal mandate to strike. This gives us so much leverage for us to re-open pay talks and negotiate a better deal. We don't just deserve better pay we need it.

Living at home with mum, I've not got a lot of expenses but the stories from my branch members are heart-breaking. I don't know how they can afford to live independently as a single person or with children during this ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Many are prioritising travel costs over eating or heating because of increased office attendance. It’s mind blowing to me that the DWP never even gave the lower grades enough of a pay rise to cover the cost of travelling for the additional days into the office.

Every single member of the PCS DWP group should be doing their part for the ballot. This can be registering or updating personal details on PCS Digital. Conversations are the most important way of engaging colleagues.

Speaking to your colleagues, convincing them to join PCS, will give is a stronger voice. I would encourage as many members as possible to contact your local rep about organising leafletting for supporting the ballot outside your office, this can go a long way for us to win this.

Michael Smith

DWP Glasgow Branch