This policy has been set at Conference for the last three years; each member is given the opportunity to instruct their delegates to Conference every May on what position their branch should take.
PCS members tell us that you would much rather be giving more positive help and assistance to jobseekers rather than Conditionality being the main focus. That is why PCS is working with organisations that oppose the government’s benefit cuts and sanctioning, where they hold shared views and objectives. This allows us the opportunity to influence their actions and build the broadest possible campaign against the regime being forced on members and claimants.
In the past two years we have built good alliances with campaigning groups like Disabled People Against Cuts, the Unemployed Workers Centre, and Unite Community. The joint leaflet advising claimants of their rights has been well received by activists and jobcentre workers alike.
We have issued support and advice to PCS members to resist the pressure they feel every day at work. PCS do not believe or accept that jobcentre workers are responsible for the Government’s draconian policies which see benefit claimants demonized and demeaned.
Protest Day 11 September
A grassroots organisation called Benefits Justice is organising events across the UK on 11th September. A Day of Action is being organised to bring workers and the unemployed together to protest against the government’s policies of benefit cuts, the bedroom tax and sanctions.
Events so far have been arranged in London, Leeds, Birmingham, Huddersfield, Milton Keynes and Brighton. PCS is supporting this day of protest and has been invited to send a GEC speaker to these rallies. Other rallies may also be organised in other towns and cities. For details of the day’s events please see this link.
These protests are not targeted at jobcentre workers though they may be held outside or near to a jobcentre or DWP office. Where this is planned, PCS will ask the campaigners to confirm to PCS that the protest is not aimed at DWP staff but at the policies of the Government.
Other campaign groups may also be organising events on 11th September. The union wants to avoid any conflict with these organisations and welcomes contact with them before the day so we can work together. PCS does not condone any organisation that is hostile to our members.
