The Branch wants all union members to get involved in the union. Especially now to help win the campaign to improve our pay, the first steps in the right direction have been made, but it is vital that members support the campaign.
There are many ways that you can get involved and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time. Please take a few minutes to read this information and find out more.
HELP PCS BE MORE REPRESENTATIVE
It is PCS policy to positively encourage more young members, women, members from ethnic minorities, members with disabilities and gay and lesbian members to get involved. This is because these members are under represented. For example – 70% of PCS members are women but only 33% of PCS reps are women. PCS wants to be a union where the union reps are fully representative of our membership.
HOW CAN I GET MORE INVOLVED
All you need to do is to put your name forward by getting two other union members to propose and second you as a local rep. or Branch Executive Committee member. The form to apply has been circulated. There may not be any need for a contested election, so don’t be put off or worried about formality, the Branch will be pleased that you want to get involved. The Branch Annual General Meeting details have been circulated and there are posters up on the Union notice boards.
WHAT ABOUT MANAGEMENT
It is official government and DWP management policy to encourage all staff to join “the union and to play an active role in it” Union reps get an allowance of time off work to do the union role - and there are lots of ways that you can get involved!
AS A LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE
Being a PCS Local rep in your workplace is not as complicated as you might think. The main jobs of a rep are to listen to members and make sure that their views are represented, to keep members informed and to tell new staff about the union and ask them to join.
As you gain experience and confidence you can get more involved in dealing with management and helping members with problems if you want to. You would get time off work and full support and training from PCS. The Branch will also ensure that you receive the assistance and guidance that you need.
AS A CONTACT OR A DISTRIBUTOR
You don’t have to give up too much time. You can help, get involved and keep yourself up to date about what is going on by just being a contact point or a distributor and giving out some union circulars in your work area. You will get time off away from your desk to do this.
AS A YOUNG MEMBERS REP
PCS has a young member’s network. The Branch has established a Young Members’ lead activist (Emma Haslehurst) however young members’ representatives are needed to take forward the Young Members’ issues and agenda. If you are 27 or under and have ideas about building a better union this could be for you.
AS AN EQUALITY REP
PCS campaigns on a wide range of equality issues. If you are interested ask about getting involved as a Branch equality rep or helping on equality issues.
In the DWP there are Equality committees for Women, Black members, Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender members to advise the union on policy. If you want to get involved in one of these all you need to do is get a nomination at the Branch AGM. Details of how to put forward any motions and nominations have been issued. Usually there are not enough nominations and PCS will be pleased that you want to use your experience to help on these issues. The Branch also has Equality Committees and again details as to how to apply for any Equal Opportunities Committees have been issued. It will be a priority for the Branch in 2009 to get the Equal Opportunities Committees functioning in order that the Branch can take forward the work effectively.
AS A HEALTH AND SAFETY REP
Trade Union Heath and Safety reps do a really important job. Carrying out workplace inspections and inspecting/ commenting on risk assessments. You would need to be trained. You get time off for training. The Branch has a network of Health and Safety representatives, if you want to get involved then please do not hesitate to contact me.
AS A UNION LEARNING REP
Union learning reps get time off to help staff develop and take up learning opportunities.
ULR’s cover everything from basic skills to computer skills and CV writing. They also help to recruit non members to join PCS. It’s a really interesting part of the work done by PCS.
BY BEING AN ACTIVE MEMBER
Maybe you don’t want to get too involved. You can still play a really important part in your union by just being an active member. We want you to – attend union meetings and have your say, tell your local representatives about problems in your office and ask what you can do to help.
If you require any further details about the Branch AGM, or any of the procedures for nominations and motions etc then please do not hesitate to contact the Branch Secretary by email or on ext: 63484.
