2016 National Conference
The agenda for the 2016 PCS National Conference is available to download here. (Standing Orders Committee reports 1 - 8.) PCS Home Office Group and National Conferences are where the priorities and direction of the union are set for the forthcoming 12 months. The national conference ran over 24 - 26 May in the Brighton Conference Centre. All of the delegates from the branch attended conference in their own time. The decisions made at the conference are listed below.
Following the close of Home Office Group Conference we had a short lunch break before heading off to ADC 2016, which was to be held over three days. National Conference covers all the groups that make up PCS and is one of the largest gatherings in the Trade Union Movement. There are many major issues which were to be discussed by delegates as well as a number of speakers to address the hall.
Branch delegation to National Conference: Jacqui Hughes (Trainee delegate), Mike Richards, Karen Bolger, John Layfield. Derek Mellor also attended as a member of the National Standing Orders Committee.
Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Opposition addressing PCS Conference
One of the most notable moments on the first day of conference was an address by the new leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn.
This was the first time in our union's history that we have had a Labour leader speak to delegates and the message that was delivered struck a chord on a whole range of subjects. The message of solidarity with our members was clear and shows the wind of change that is blowing through the political establishment.
Following this historic address it was left to the Branch Secretary, Mike Richards (right) to move motion A10 on the Trade Union Bill (which has now become law) and which was one of the most important issues to be discussed at the conference. A tough act to follow after the Labour leader but after a fine presentation, as well as exercising a right of reply to address some concerns expressed during the debate on an element of the motion, the vote was taken and it was convincingly passed by conference.
The divisive issue of the EU referendum was raised via motions A18, A19 & A20. After a very fraternal debate it was the will of conference that the union should look to inform the membership on the affects of leaving or staying and letting the members decide without making any recommendation.
On the following morning of conference (Wednesday) the Branch President, John Layfield (left) spoke on motion A23 which was passed by the branch at our mandate meeting and related to legal advice provided in cases that we have put forward on behalf of members. Whilst our original motion was ‘E’ marked (Not scheduled for debate) the main thrust of A23 covered the same issues as our branch motion and after an excellent speech the motion was passed by a massive majority by conference.
Just before the lunch break the outgoing chair of the PCS parliamentary group, John McDonnell, who is now the shadow chancellor addressed conference. As always it was a great speech by John covering a number of major issues including the election of Jeremy Corbyn, the social housing crisis and the need to build more council houses. John also covered the campaigns we have undertaken, the lobbies of parliament and the industrial action that PCS members have taken part in. Once again it was reiterated that if Labour are elected they will scrap the Trade Union Act within their first 100 days of office. A commitment was also given that the Labour Party would reintroduce national bargaining on pay with no more pay fragmentation.
The PCS national organising and communications awards which recognise the hard work and dedication of our reps were presented during conference. The awards are judged by national president Janice Godrich and the NEC organising sub-committee. There were 3 awards presented by PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka: individual, team and promising new activist award. Janice Godrich said: "I have to say that this year we had a lot of entries, all of which were very strong".
Derek Mellor, Home Office Merseyside Branch Organiser won the 2016 individual award. He was nominated by his branch for his work in setting up the branch website Home Affairs.
Branch Secretary Mike Richards said: “The readership of the site is worldwide and provides an excellent reference point for all PCS members in the UK and in posts abroad. Due to the restrictions on facilities time Derek does all the work in his own time". The website also includes an electronic method for submitting personal cases, which makes dealing with them more professional and efficient.
Branch Secretary, Mike Richards moving motion A10 on the Trade Union Bill
John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor addressing PCS Conference in his last year as Chair of the PCS Parliamentary Group
Branch President, John Layfield speaking on motion A23 about PCS legal advice provided in cases put forward on behalf of members
Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary presenting Derek Mellor, Branch Organiser with the 2016 individual national organising and communications award
Motion A69 passed by conference delegates called for the union's campaign against the hated civil service performance management system to be stepped up. Assistant general secretary, Chris Baugh, proposed the motion on behalf of our national executive and said performance management was one of the biggest issues facing PCS members. He called on the Cabinet Office to take urgent action against the civil service performance management and its discriminatory practices.
PCS deputy president Kevin McHugh also spoke on the final morning of conference praising amajor victory we secured in the High Court in May which ruled the vindictive removal of check-off (paying PCS subs through wages) was unlawful in the largest civil service department.
Ruling in favour of PCS and allowing us to now claim damages, Judge Elisabeth Laing agreed check-off was contractual in the Department for Work and Pensions and should not have been scrapped without agreement.
Martin Cavanagh, who along with Katrine Williams, brought the High Court case on behalf of PCS also spoke. He said: "This is a huge victory for our union because the Tories came for us and we stood up to them we stood firm."
PCS will now sit down with lawyers to consider how the judgement can be used to further our members' interests including:
- Preventing further unilateral removals of check-off by employers
- Seeking damages for our losses
- And pursuing further cases against other government departments on the issue of check-off.
Read the Conference Standing Orders Committee reports no. 1 - 8 here. The outcomes of the debates were:
Pay & Pensions
A1 Carried, A2 Lost, A3 Carried, A373 Carried, A374 Carried, A5 Guillotined, A6 Carried, A7 Guillotined, A8 Guillotined, A362 Guillotined, A9 Guillotined
Anti-Union Laws
A10 (Merseyside Branch motion moved by Mike Richards) Carried, A375 Carried, A11 Guillotined, A12 Guillotined
Organising
A13 Carried, A14 Carried, A15 Carried, A16 Guillotined, A17 Guillotined
EU referendum
A18 Carried, A19 Fell, A20 Fell
PCS Services
A21 Carried, A22 Carried, A23 (John Layfield spoke in favour) Carried, A24 Carried, A25 Carried, A26 Lost, A27 Guillotined
Fighting Austerity
A28 Carried, A29 Carried, A30 Guillotined, A31 Guillotined
Equality
A32 Carried, A33 Carried, A34 Carried, A365 Guillotined, A35 Guillotined
Political strategy
A36 Carried, A37 Fell, A38 Fell, A39 Guillotined, A40 Withdrawn
Finance
A41 Carried, A42 Guillotined, A43 Guillotined, A44 Guillotined
Affiliations
A45 Lost, A46 Guillotined, A47 Guillotined
Rules
A48 Withdrawn, A49 Lost
PCS Structures
A50 Carried, A51 Carried, A52 Carried, A53 Carried, A54 Carried, A312 Carried, A55 Withdrawn, A56 Carried, A57 Withdrawn
International
A58 Carried, A59 Carried, A60 Guillotined, A61 Guillotined, A62 Guillotined, A63 Guillotined
Environment & Climate Change
A64 Carried, A386 Guillotined, A386 Withdrawn, A65 Guillotined, A66 Guillotined
Personnel Policy & Health & Safety
A67 Carried, A68 Carried, A69 Carried, A70 Carried, A361 Guillotined, A71 Guillotined, A72 Guillotined, A73 Guillotined, A74 Guillotined, A75 Guillotined, A76 Guillotined, A77 Guillotined, A78 Guillotined
Social & Economic
A379 Carried, A80 Carried, A376 Carried, A81 Guillotined, A377 Guillotined, A82 Guillotined, A83 Guillotined, A84 Guillotined, A85 Guillotined, A378 Guillotined, A86 Guillotined, A87 Guillotined, A88 Guillotined, A89 Guillotined, A372 Guillotined, A90 Guillotined