A PCS member writes

A PCS member writes on the recent result of the union national ballot.

 

After previous national ballots failed to reach the 50% threshold, the most recent vote on industrial action was done separately for each bargaining unit. This meant that only those bargaining units that reached the 50% threshold could be in a formal dispute.

Of the two biggest areas of membership, DWP and HMRC, the result is mixed, to say the least. DWP scraped over the 50% threshold, and HMRC managed a turnout of just over 47%. The result in HMRC was complicated by the 3-year pay deal currently in place. There will be an attempt to re-ballot HMRC in early 2023.

Not only is this a crucial ballot that must be won, but it is also important that a campaign be waged in DWP to ensure that the membership supports any action.

In addressing all members on the ballot result, Mark Serwotka, General Secretary , explained that the union is preparing for a long struggle and that the tactic will be selective action in key areas, if necessary, over a period of several months.

During the ballot period, my own branch saw an increase in union membership, but more importantly, a new layer of young activists became involved in the union, which was critical in getting the vote out.


Art Book Review Books Capitalism China Climate Emergency Conservative Government Conservative Party COVID-19 Creeping Fascism Economics EcoSocialism Elections Europe Event Video Fascism Film Film Review France Gaza Global Police State History Imperialism Israel Italy Keir Starmer Labour Party Long Read Marxism Marxist Theory Migrants NATO Palestine pandemic Police Political Prisoners Protest Russia Solidarity Statement Trade Unionism Transgender Ukraine United States of America War


Join the discussion

MORE FROM ACR