ADC 2007

PCS Democrats:

PCS Democrats have helped to ensure that the union has a strong base to take forward our campaigning work, through maintaining and improving membership levels despite job cuts, and a sound financial position to improve services provided.

NEC Elections:

PCS Democrats welcome the outcome of the NEC elections with an almost clean sweep of Democracy Alliance candidates. Members have put their continued trust in an experienced leadership team drawn from across the political spectrum. In the elections, members also rejected the lie that the current PCS leadership was not serious about achieving a negotiated settlement on the jobs & services campaign.

PCS Democrats recognise though that with another low turn out, there can be no complacency. We must do more to engage with members who didn’t vote or voted for our opponents. We need to continue exploring ways of increasing participation.

It is healthy that there are a large number of people wanting to stand for the National Executive. But a ballot paper containing the names of over 80 candidates puts many off voting! We should not be afraid to consider the merits of alternative systems such as electing only a part of the Executive each year or perhaps Regional elections.

Pay, Jobs & Services:

The ADC will be debating emergency motions on the pay, jobs and service campaign. PCS Democrats have consistently supported the negotiating aims of the national campaign. The only way this dispute will be ended satisfactorily is getting round the table with our employer to talk seriously about the issues. But after six months of talks, not a single offer of substance has been made on our main demands. This is no way to treat members or their representatives!

PCS Democrats reject the siren voices of some in the union who want to give up without a fight or those on the far left intent on using our members as political cannon fodder. PCS Democrats will never be afraid to argue for further industrial action if talks fail, but not for the sake of it and only after we have carried out further consultation with members.

PCS Democrats support the need to fully consult with members in the coming weeks on the progress of the campaign. PCS Democrats will support the idea of a further membership ballot on the outcome of the consultations.

PCS Democrats NEC Team:

In the coming year, PCS Democrats NEC members; Glenys Morris, Ian Albert, Steve Comer, Mary Ferguson, Neil License, Victoria Steeples, Graham Taylor and Garry Winder will continue to work with Left Unity colleagues to achieve a broad consensus on key decisions for members.

It was disappointing that Paula Brown from HSE was not re-elected to the NEC. It is vital that small Departments and NDPBs like HSE are represented alongside DWP and HMRC. We’re sure that she will be back again soon.

Group Executive Elections:

PCS Democrat candidates scored a stunning success in the DCA Elections. Members voted for a strong, PCS Democrat led GEC with a broad appeal to challenge management’s imposition of regional pay and arbitrary job cuts. In line with our core beliefs, PCS Democrats will always seek to work collaboratively on GECs with activists from across the political spectrum to protect and improve terms and conditions.

But in most GEC Elections member participation was low. For example, in one Group just over 9% of members voted. This is not good enough. Members are clearly turned off by factional point scoring and personal attacks. PCS Democrats say that members deserve better.

PCS Democrats have also raised concerns about the length of time members had to vote. Many ballot papers in DWP arrived late which shortened the time still further. There was a real case for a short extension to the ballot period. We must ensure in future that the balloting period is long enough to cater for unexpected problems with the delivery of ballot papers.

ADC 2007:

Here are PCS Democrats' views on some of the issues being debated at this ADC. Delegates may already have a mandate, but we hope our views can be taken into account where mandates are open or new information emerges.

Protecting Public Services: Support NEC’s emergency motion that ensures membership consultation and a further ballot on the continuing campaign. Support A2 – A6. Oppose A8 – O’Donnell recruits us members.

Pay: Support NEC’s emergency motion as long as it contains membership consultation on pay offers. Oppose A14 – censuring NEC does not progress our campaign.

A25: Oppose the attempt to remove the settled position on Principal Rule ballots. It also conflicts with other rules which set out the process for Branch input.

A45: Oppose motion proposing funding of party political candidates by PCS which would compromise our political neutrality.

A55: Oppose motion on PCS involvement in Labour leadership election.

A94: Oppose motion on election of Full Time Officers. Branch survey overwhelmingly opposed the idea. Let’s not spend any more time on this.

A96: Oppose. PCS Democrats want more participation in elections. Reserve votes will only deter this.

A102: Support motion on Non Departmental Public Bodies staff.

A120: Support the campaign for a decent state pension and no rise of pension age.