Vote YES in the PCS pay ballot!

Submitted by SJW on 11 July, 2018 - 2:47 Author: a PCS activist
Vote YES in the PCS pay ballot!

PCS, the largest civil service union is in the middle of an industrial ballot on pay. which is running from June 18 to July 23.

Over 130,000 members of the union working for government departments and their agencies and responsible bodies have been balloted in the wake of the government's refusal to lift the cap on pay or even enter into negotiations with the unions.

This is the first national statutory ballot PCS have run since the new 50% turnout threshold for union ballots came into force.

The decision to ballot on pay, voted on almost unanimously at the union’s conference in May follows a consultative ballot run which just fell short of the threshold, with 49% of members voting.

The significant turnout in the consultative ballot gave the union a mandate for a legal ballot, but unlike the consultative ballot online and regular updates of who had voted is not available to us during a statutory ballot.

Workers’ Liberty members in PCS welcomed the move to a statutory ballot, but were keen to make it clear that the ballot threshold presented a huge organisational challenge for the union, whose largest turnout in any previous statutory ballot had been 41%.

As with the successfully CWU national ballot of posties last year local rank-and-file initiatives, have built members meetings, social media activity and regular, local strike committees have been organised in cities to co-ordinate ballot work.

In some areas there are peculiarities which may prevent members from voting. A much discredited four-year pay deal in the DWP (the union’s largest group) and supported by the union leadership has divided the workforce, with longer-standing union members getting 1.1%, but many getting 0.25% in exchange for much reduced terms and conditions while some new members are already getting 5%.

It's clear that all members, regardless of their particular circumstances should vote for action. Least of all because division will only help the employer win on other issues, but also if we lose the ballot, once the DWP deal finishes, there will be no-more money for pay without a fight.

The release of the Cabinet Office guidance on pay last week without any consultation with the unions has also strengthened PCS hand. In an emergency meeting with the leaders of the big three civil service unions (PCS, FDA and Prospect) following the release, the general secretaries of both FDA and Prospect told the Deputy Prime Minister they thought his behaviour was tantamount to de-recognition and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the guidance.

Mike Clancy, the Prospect General Secretary, who is still reeling from his leadership being overturned at his conference by members demanding action on the cap, has publicly stated that he will support his members should they wish to take strike action against the cap.

The next test will be whether PCS has reached the threshold on the 23rd of July. It could spell the resurgence or the death-knoll of opposition to the pay-cap by public sector workers.

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.