David Semple, PCS branch secretary Wigan, personal capacity
The deadline for nominations in this year’s PCS elections closed on 9 March. Two separate slates will contest the elections for the National Executive Committee (NEC) when voting starts on 20 April.
Socialist Party member Marion Lloyd heads the Broad Left Network/Independent Left list of candidates, with 55 branch nominations for president.
Current president, Fran Heathcote, has 75 nominations and is supported by the Left Unity/PCS Democrats grouping which currently leads the NEC.
The current union leadership’s limited strike strategy, focusing principally on targeted action and with only two belated days of national action so far (1 Feb and 15 March – months after the ballot was won on 7 November), has been criticised by the Broad Left Network (BLN).
From the outset the BLN has pressed for a strategy to win, fought for by the BLN supporter on the NEC, based on a programme of national strikes, backed up by selective action and action short of strikes, such as overtime bans – which the leadership didn’t ballot members about and so doesn’t currently have a mandate for.
The leadership’s approach has failed to move the employer, a fact confirmed by PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka when he told the Guardian: “In sharp contrast with other parts of the public sector, ministers have failed to hold any meaningful talks with us…” (17/3/23)
Beginning on 20 March, the union will reballot to continue the dispute beyond 6 May, when the current six-month strike mandate runs out. We will be working tirelessly to clear the anti-democratic 50% turnout threshold and for a massive ‘yes’ vote.
A big part of convincing members to vote ‘yes’ will be spelling out a bold strategy to win. More of the same will not be enough.
The pay and jobs dispute is bound to be a major issue in the election, but as Marion Lloyd has made clear, it’s not the sole reason why a change of leadership is required. If elected president, she says she “will not lose sight of other issues: office closures, equality, privatisation, workloads, stress, bullying, harassment and working conditions.”
The 55 nominations for Marion are from all parts of the union. Members will have a choice between the existing leadership that has not risen to the challenge of the national fight needed against this government, and a fresh start with a bold socialist leadership committed to a fighting programme and rebuilding a democratic union.
- For more information about the Broad Left Network go to bln.org.uk
- The list of BLN/IL candidates can be found here: Unified left to fight PCS national elections
