Paula Brown NEC Election Address 2007

I’ve been active in the union since 1986. During that time I have been responsible for negotiating pay and most other terms and conditions of employment. I am presently National Branch Chair in the Health and Safety Executive.

I believe members want to know that their interests are being protected, their views listened to, and their issues acted upon by PCS. To do this we must work in a sensible partnership with our employer, developing a relationship that gives PCS a respected voice, but without being afraid to challenge them when they get it wrong (which has certainly happened in the past year).

This year PCS has put more effort than ever before into protecting the interests of members. The campaign to save Jobs, Pay and Pensions has already had some success with the receipt of what looks to be a fair pension offer for new entrants. However, PCS must ensure that the message about quality public services isn’t lost in the hysteria to cut the public sector paybill.

We must continue to win ground in the media, and demonstrate that a typical civil servant does not earn a fortune and retire on megabucks at age 50. We must highlight the real difference our members make to ordinary peoples’ daily working lives, simply by providing a decent quality service that isn’t driven by private sector profit.

If elected I will support the continuing efforts to:
 protect our jobs, through the national dispute, and campaigns such as the Protect Public Services Campaign;
 address the gender pay gap via the legal system, building upon the victory PCS achieved for members in the Prison Service;
 improve the level of consultation with our members and activists on key campaigns.

I will also be a voice for National Branches, like HSE, who face a tough time when organising and negotiating, because of the geographical and resourcing difficulties they face.
As a PCS Democrat (www.pcsdemocrats.org.uk) I ask for your support to help me represent you and all our members, and to re-elect the joint Democrat/Left Unity Democratic Alliance which continues to deliver on key issues and vote for:

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.