PCS Merseyside ARMs Secretary Dave Owens looks back at some of the campaigns that Merseyside ARMs has been involved with,
The Merseyside PCS ARMS banner is frequently seen on local picket lines and demonstrations, all of this of course in line with PCS policy. It’s most recent appearance being on a lobby of the Merseyside and Cheshire Health authority in support of the campaign to keep open the Liverpool Women’s hospital. As largel retired members we are limited in how we can affect events as we can’t go on strike orexert any economic power. We can however campaign.
As we have a local group on Merseyside, one of only two nationally, we are able to campaign effectively in the local area. Thus we have been able to support disputes in both PCS and other unions. Last year we supported the strike for Union recognition by PCS members at MyCSP. This strike lasted 21 weeks and we sent delegations twice a week for the whole dispute. In similar fashion we supported the NML strike twice a week fot it’s duration. We also helped with both leafleting and picketing throughout the national campaign.
Beyond the Civil Service we supported the recent Liverpool Dockers strike (something some of us thought we would never see again) and many other disputes.
It is in political campaigning however where our voice can be most affective. We have thus campaigned over issues affecting pensioners, but also in defence of the rights of the Palestinian people, against Racism in support of Stand Up to Racism and on environmental issues, most notably in support of the campaign to prevent the turning of the Rimrose Valley into a motorway. This is one of the few green spaces in South Sefton.
Because we are retired does not mean we can’t influence events. We can and do so. Join us
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September 2026