Ian Albert NEC Election Address 2007

I am currently a member of the PCS National Executive (NEC). I am the Liaison Officer for both the Eastern Region and the PCS Associate and Retired Members’ Organisation. I was DWP Group Vice President from 2002-2004. I am Treasurer of HQ London Branch and a Safety Rep. I work in DWP’s Work, Welfare and Equality Group.

A Strong Union:
Over the last 4 years, I have been part of a team on the NEC that has ensured PCS has grown into a strong, member led union. PCS must always listen to your concerns and put your interests first.
As part of the PCS Finance Committee, I have helped to ensure that PCS is financially strong. As a result, PCS funds have grown considerably during 2006, alongside putting more resources into campaigning, communications and legal services.

Negotiating and Campaigning:
I will always argue that PCS must be prepared to do all it can to come to the best possible deal for members. This is demonstrated by the pension package, protecting new entrants and reaffirming the right of existing staff to retire at 60 if they wish. It is the best achieved by any union across the public sector.

Where members want to leave their job, PCS must negotiate the best possible terms. That is what good unions are all about.
But sometimes negotiating alone is not enough. Our current dispute cannot be concluded without a fair, negotiated settlement. But it takes two to talk!

When talks fail, it is absolutely right that PCS should take action. We cannot stand by and do nothing when members are faced with late pay rises, privatisation, redundancy, increasing numbers of consultants and job cuts. That is why the stoppage on 31st January was right.

But PCS cannot take members’ support for granted. If elected, I will press that you are fully consulted at each stage of the campaign. Your full support is critical to the success of any further action.

A Democratic Union:
I am a member of PCS Democrats - www.pcsdemocrats.org.uk. If you agree with me, please support the Democracy Alliance team that has proved it will work for you.

President – Godrich
Vice Presidents – Bean, Bond, Kelly, Morris
NEC – Albert, Baker, Brown A, Brown P, Chorlton, Comer, Conway, Dennis, Dunn, Ferguson, Gedling, Holbourne, Jamieson, John, License, Lloyd, McFadden, McHugh, McInally, Morrison, Reid, Richards, Steeples, Taylor, Wesley, Williams P, Williams R, Williamson, Winder, Yesildalli.