PCS Elections - Big Opportunities For The Left

THE CIVIL service union PCS national executive (NEC) elections, which run from 6 June to 4 July are as important as any election in the history of the union.

The Socialist Party is part of a 'democratic front' standing against the right-wing 'moderates' who have a majority of the NEC at the moment.

It was this extreme right-wing group who attempted to block the election of Mark Serwotka, when he was democratically elected general secretary and tried to remove powers from Janice Godrich, the elected president of the union.

The 'moderates' have well-documented links to shadowy state organisations, both nationally and internationally and their defeat in the election will sweep aside a massive stain on the British trade union movement.

Their attempts to block the democratic decisions of the membership cost the union over £400,000 in legal and associated costs.

They have shown no interest in defending or advancing the interests of PCS members, some of whom earn only just above the level of the minimum wage and have to claim state benefits to get by.

The union has been involved in some titanic battles over the past few years, not least the safety screens issue that involved 60,000 members on intermittent national and local strikes lasting over 12 months.

It was the Left-led sections of the union that led these strikes often in the face of sabotage by the right-wing NEC. Socialist Party members have a proud record of leading sections of the union and if the left win, will continue to play a decisive part in the leadership.

Socialist Party members standing are:

Janice Godrich president and NEC. NEC candidates: Mark Baker, Chris Baugh, Marion Lloyd, John McInally, Rob Williams and Danny Williamson.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.