The new PCS NEC faces the task of challenging the Labour government’s austerity. Delegates at PCS Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) will be able to set out a fighting programme for this incoming NEC to deliver.
Motions will Conference starts with pensions, following the Capita crisis. The privatisation of our pension scheme is a scandal, but the award of the contract to Capita shows the stark nature of profit over people. All motions in this section should be supported.
Conference will then debate our campaign demands for pay, pensions and jobs. The outgoing Left Unity-dominated NEC failed to enact last year’s conference policy for a national campaign. This year conference can carry motion A5, which sets a clear timeline for a ballot of all civil service members by mid-September 2026. Members should oppose motion A6, because that proposes the creation of a National Organising Forum with no timeline for action.
The Rules section has risen in prominence and importance because of the abuse of rules by Left Unity to stifle debate. This year LGBT+ motions have again been kept off the conference agenda (see Eilonwy’s article…) Delegates should support a reference back of motion X315, allowing this important motion to be debated and carried. Motion A15, to change the vote to overturn the president’s ruling to a simple majority, and should be supported.
Motion A22 is for PCS to affiliate to the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) for £50. The NSSN brings together reps and members from across different sectors in solidarity, and to debate the way forward. PCS was affiliated to the NSSN in the past but the now-defeated outgoing Left Unity leadership argued to withdraw.
The Tech services section starts with motion A52 for PCS to agree with government and devolved administrations an AI agreement that protects our members and the essential public services we deliver. Delegates should support motion A52. Motion A53 then continues the years long battle for grassroots activists to access the contact data of our members. Despite ADC 2025 carrying motion A226, the outgoing NEC has declined to carry out the instructions. Carrying motion A53 allows the incoming NEC to remedy this.
This year’s International section includes motions regarding Iran, Venezuela, Ukraine, Palestine and Hong Kong. This reflects the general global instability and it is a credit that PCS has existing policies regarding many of these international issues. Delegates should support every motion except A64, which asks PCS to uncritically support increased armament of the Ukrainian government regardless of the purpose of that armament – the Socialist Party argues that workers cannot put their faith in any capitalist powers but must fight for a solution based on independent working-class action and unity.
In Services & structures section, motion A68 seeks a review of PCS Legal. Our activists and members often rely on this service and it’s important it can deliver on those expectations. As such, a review is overdue and motion A68 should be supported. Motion A70 is about ensuring the ‘Rule 10’ process is correctly followed, with further guidance to be given to branches. This process can result in members being punished or even expelled from PCS, so it is essential that this motion is carried.
In the Equalities section, conference will be asked to enact the Supreme Court’s For Women Scotland judgment as PCS policy, even though guidance on how to do so doesn’t yet exist! Existing PCS policy already ensures we don’t have a hierarchy of protected characteristics: we defend the rights of all members. Motions A84, A85, A86 and A89 need to be opposed. Instead conference would be allowed to debate the campaigning motions which would prepare the union to resist potential workplace discrimination resulting from the ruling, that are currently being kept off the agenda by Left Unity.
The Organising section will be at the end of conference. The strategy put forward by Broad Left Network supporters and agreed at 2025’s conference will continue into 2026. Motion A124 proposes further development of this strategy to integrate organising with bargaining and campaigning and should be supported.
