Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/580/7307
From The Socialist newspaper, 20 May 2009
PCS conference gathers
Delegates are gathering for the civil service union PCS conference, which starts on 20 May. Meanwhile group conferences are taking place.
Bill Mullins
General secretary Mark Serwotka spoke at all the group conferences. At the Revenue and Customs conference Mark gave a well-received speech, particularly on the question of resisting the attacks on members' jobs and conditions and the strategy of the union to resist them.
Mark then went on to talk about the idea of delegates supporting the union's national executive motion, which will be debated on Wednesday, which calls for the union to be prepared to stand candidates in elections if necessary.
He asked delegates to imagine if a postal worker candidate stood against Pat McFadden, the post office minister, on the issue of opposing privatisation. Or if a PCS candidate stood against James Purnell, the minister who is attacking the welfare rights of many, including single parents.
He said the resolution, if carried, will set off 12 months of massive consultation with the membership. That will be reported back to the 2010 conference. "We will go to every member in a ballot if the resolution is passed", he said.
He also called for people to vote in the euro elections to keep out the BNP, even though he admitted there is little difference between the main parties. Unfortunately he said no more than that, missing the opportunity to point out that the RMT-led No2EU-Yes to Democracy campaign gives PCS members a chance in these elections to vote for a workers' alternative.
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In The Socialist 20 May 2009:
We need workers' MPs on a worker's wage
Socialist Party editorial
Swindling MPs are detached from reality
Socialist Party workplace news
Thousands march for jobs in Birmingham
Visteon workers' victory march
No2EU
International socialist news and analysis
Sri Lanka: The guns fall silent but the tragedy continues
Socialist Party feature
Tiananmen 1989: Seven weeks that shook the world
Youth fight for jobs
Youth Fight for Jobs fortnight of action
Enthusiastic reception for Youth Fight for jobs
Education
Lewisham Bridge rooftop protest
Socialist Party news and analysis
Welsh-speaking worker bullied by boss
Union organisation necessary to defend working conditions
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