PCS
Getting Started
I started my placement as an organiser within PCS’s Culture division three weeks ago. My ‘bedding in’ period has been as interesting as it has been varied, and I am enjoying every minute of it! So far, I have co-facilitated workshops; met with lay organisers and other activists; minuted the AGM of English Heritage members; observed meetings with personnel at the British museum; distributed at the British Library; worded leaflets and postcards for the National Campaign, and assisted with research. Member density is good in London, and some branches, particularly the Science museum, are very strong. Within the regions, slightly less, primarily due to the geographical locations of some of the remoter heritage sites. In keeping with PCS’s strong organising strategy, there was a lay-organisers’ conference at Clapham Headquarters a couple of weeks ago, which I attended. Turn out was good and the mood against the government’s proposed 2% pay ‘increase’ was tangible. PCS’s general secretary Mark Serwotka, gave a rousing speech, and there were passionate contributions from the floor. Given the structure of the civil service, with many areas now outsourced to private companies, leading to disparities in pay and conditions, members are nevertheless united in their feeling that the government has, for wont of a better term ‘sold them down the river’. A short film on the plight of the transport workers’ strike in Argentina was shown, and there were workshops, including one on equalities and a young members workshop, which I co-facilitated. At the Culture Division in Victoria, I have found the team to be extremely helpful and thoughtful when it comes to finding me areas of work. I recently received my workplan and am happy to be working on a possible recognition agreement; a recruitment exercise within the Southbank; the CMSOA; English Heritage and, of course, the National Campaign, which I will touch on shortly.
Pensions On Wednesday I attended the National Lobby on The State Pension rally in Westminster, co-ordinated by the NPC. Mark Serwotka spoke, and there were contributions by representatives from ASLEF, Community,NUJ and UCU, among others. The issues raised were emotive and the overall mood was one of anger. Quite right! How can the government possibly say that £90.70 per week, well below the Official Poverty Level of £151pw, is enough for ANYONE to live on, yet alone those who have worked hard all their lives, many of whom survived the war, and paid National Insurance contributions? Two thirds of pensioners living in poverty are women. Around 61% of pensioner couples have an annual income of £15,000 or less, whilst 45% of single pensioners have an annual income of £10,000 or less. These very same people now have to make the choice between fuel and food, be ‘poverty pensioners’, cowering at the sound of the letter box for fear of another bill they cannot pay. Where is the dignity, the respect, in that? Throw into the mix means-testing, a humiliating process that no-one should have to endure, least of all our retired workforce, and a surplus in the National Insurance Fund currently standing at £46bn. How the government can possibly justify not giving these citizens the money they deserve, that is theirs BY RIGHT, yet spend billions on an illegal war and bailing out the banks, is an abhorrent disgrace. What WOULD the original pensions campaigners of 100 years ago say? In a recent EU survey, only pensioners in Latvia, Spain and Cyprus are more likely to fall into poverty than those in the uk. And, even if the link between state pension and earnings is restored by 2012, 3million pensioners will have,by then already died. As trade unionists, we need to collectively campaign around the issue of pensions. WE NEED TO ACT NOW.
Personally I think I echo everyone’s sentiments here when I say that it is something of a dream to find oneself getting paid to do something you totally believe in, and used to do voluntarily. What an honour! I feel particularly privileged to be working within the Culture division at PCS, coming from an arts and entertainment background. The arts continue to be a real passion of mine and I truly empathise with the members, many of whom are struggling artists themselves, having found myself working in poorly-paid jobs for the bulk of my working life.
National Campaign
PCS recently balloted members on industrial action, the ballot closed on 17th October, and members voted by a majority in support of national strike action and national action sort of a strike.The action is a reaction to the government’s paltry pay offer of 2%, well below the rate of inflation. As we all know, our society relies on civil servants’ hard labour to facilitate our daily lives. From issuing driving licenses and passports, to helping us find jobs, claim benefits…and save lives (as highlighted in the recent maritime workers’ dispute). Yet,in the same way that artists throughout the ages have found themselves in the grip of poverty, starvation and misery,now in the 21st century, staff in the culture sector working in museums, sports councils, tourism, art galleries, the British Library and heritage sites find themselves faced with a similar fate!
Staff work long, anti-social hours, often with little respite, yet they carry out their work diligently. They are passionate about the services they provide, and the art they protect yet, some staff working in London are not earning the London living wage of £7.45 per hour, instead many exist on little over the National Minimum wage, £5.73. Staff are faced with cutbacks and worsening of conditions due to government proposals and increased privatisation. Proposals and in some cases implementation of regional pay will continue to cause members real hardship – bread and petrol cost the same wherever you live.
Aside from anything else, a demoralised workforce and fewer staff will impact on all of our long term enjoyment of museums and galleries.
It is for these reasons,and many more, that PCS members voted Yes to industrial action. The government can continue to justify capping civil servants’ pay to a meagre 2%, yet it recently bailed out the banks to the tune of £30 billion with public funds – how insulting! How absurd. As we are all now officially ‘bankers’, it surely will not break the bank for the government to allow us access to our money. Afterall, there is clearly enough there! Despite what they might like us to believe.
If PCS members agree to the government’s pay cut, because with inflation currently standing at 5.4%, that is precisely what it is, the government will be under no obligation to bargain for the next three years. Simply put, PCS members CAN NOT AFFORD NOT to take action. Whilst no-one likes to strike, members are faced with no alternative. Members’ demands are simple: an inflation proof rise for all staff, and action on pay disparities and pay progression.
At the time of writing, I am uncertain what dates the action will take place, however, I hope to update regularly on here, and will keep you posted.
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