NEC Report November 2006

Job Cuts, Pay and Pensions Campaign

Following an update from Mark Serwotka about the lack of progress on all of the main issues of pay coherence, job cuts, pensions and pay 2006, the NEC noted that further attempts at negotiation were being made. Meetings were planned for the next couple of weeks, and an offer on pensions for new entrants was expected by early December. It was agreed that a meeting of Senior PCS Officers booked for the 14th December, would instead be a full NEC, to give the opportunity to take stock.

PCS Democrats said the message to members must be that negotiation is our preferred resolution, and not industrial action. But that we are prepared to take action if necessary. Planning for the ballot must be the top priority for PCS. Failure to deliver a comprehensive positive result could undermine the whole campaign.

TUC Speak Up for Public Services Lobby

On the 23rd Jan the TUC are holding a rally and lobby of Parliament. It's a chance for public service workers to join together and tell MP's that public servants want to serve the public, not shareholders or company owners. PCS will use this Lobby to further the message of our own anti job cuts campaign, as it links in with the work we have done so far. It also coincides with the announcement of the industrial action ballot.

PCS Regional Committee Review

The debate around the ongoing review continues. The NEC agreed recommendations for further consultation and a paper to the Organising and Learning Services Committee. PCS Democrats view is that the review has carried on too long. There seems to be general agreement about the way forwards, so lets bring this review to an end and let activists get on with the job at hand.

PCS Conference Review

The NEC received an update about progress made so far. Issues around timing as well as number of delegates, branches that don't attend and location were raised. In recognising that you can't please everyone on such an issue, PCS Democrats said that the review should be clear if its aim was to save money, or make conference a more efficient and democratic event. A further paper will be considered at the January NEC.

Finance

PCS Democrats welcomed the news that Union is likely to balance its books in 2006 and add money to the Campaign Fund. Importantly, membership has remained constant in the face of job cuts. This is a tribute to the work of Branches in recruiting and retaining members.

In the coming year, PCS Democrats will continue to ensure that members' subscriptions are spent wisely and that the union remains financially strong.