Motions so far for the AGM

AGM 2013 – Motions Received

Branch Motions

Privatisation

This Branch condemns the sell off of the welfare state and the social decay that’s following.  Further this branch states it will do all it can to fight any privatisation that affects members of this branch.

This branch further believes as a matter of principle the struggles and gains of the past should not be let slip away by the apathy apologists of management but in fact this should be countered in the most vigorous way possible or practical.  

This branch further believes an attitude of some that don’t care, is no case to not fight but in fact is a case to re double our efforts and put the case to make a fight of it.  This branch resolves to

·   Keep members as fully informed and consult members were possible to counter Management spin

·  To put the case to rank and file members to begin a anti privatisation campaign

·  To work with the national union on this where possible but to start ASAP with or without the GEC

·  That any surveys or questionnaires are conducted with all the facts and information

While we accept that any such campaign will be pointless without the support of the members this BEC takes a position of opposition and resolves to win the argument in the wider membership.

Fighting privatisation, Job losses, or attacks on terms and conditions is a basic bread and butter issue for trade unions and we should not dishonour the struggles of the past or put in danger future generations by adopting a policy of appeasement to the state or management

Constitutional change – constituency locations

The AGM agrees that the list of branch constituencies at Appendix 1 in the Branch Constitution shall be amended to read:

Steel City House

Rockingham House

Kings Court

Porterbrook House

Hartshead Square

All other locations

DWP Motions

Sanctions

This conference condemns the sanction regime on benefit claimants as nothing more than bullying and persecution of some of the most vulnerable of our class.

This conference further agrees that this is a further example of the state making the ones at the bottom pay for the greed and mistakes of the ones at the top.

This conference also agrees that part of the struggle against the government is to build unity and solidarity for all.  As an act of solidarity this conference agrees to

Include in any industrial action a campaign of none co-operation with these oppressive sanctions and to further promote to the rank and file the need for this in the wider struggle as the jobs massacre continues many of our members in the future could end up victims of these sanctions.

ADC Motions

Building in the Community

This conference notes and welcomes Unite the union’s initiative to build and get involved in local communities.

This conference further notes the importance of education and building a strong united Labour movement not just within the workplace but also in local communities

This conference also congratulates to work done by PCS arms and the Civil Service Pensioners Alliance.

This conference agrees that this can be expanded to a community type branch and help all ex employees in supporting them after leaving the civil service and can widen this to help in local community campaigns in general

This conference instructs the NEC to look at the way PCS can do something similar in recruiting members of the local communities and introducing a small Subscription.

·        To encourage PCS activists to attend and speak in local meetings and events to promote PCS and the trade union movement in general

·        To explore a practical way PCS can offer some kind of Service to anyone joining PCS under this initiative.

·        To approach and work with other like minded unions who support such an initiative.

·        To offer further support to ex employees and activist and encourage continued involvement in PCS

Conference believes that this is vital in rebuilding after years of decline and to counter the negative propaganda of the establishment and right wing press.

  

Cuba Solidarity Campaign

That PCS continues to affiliate to and support Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) and its important work drawing attention to the injustice of the US Trade Embargo against Cuba, but that it makes that affiliation and support conditional upon CSC making an explicit statement on its website home page:

·   recognising the right of those Cubans who do not use or advocate violence, to express dissent, without fear of Government, or Government backed, retribution; 

·   condemning the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Cuban Government and

·   supporting multi party, multi candidate elections in Cuba.

That this motion, if passed as drafted, be put to the national conference for the international section to put into immediate effect.'

Sanctions

This conference condemns the sanction regime on benefit claimants as nothing more than bullying and persecution of some of the most vulnerable of our class.

This conference further agrees that this is a further example of the state making the ones at the bottom pay for the greed and mistakes of the ones at the top.

This conference also agrees that part of the struggle against the government is to build unity and solidarity for all.  As an act of solidarity this conference agrees to

Include in any industrial action a campaign of none co-operation with these oppressive sanctions and to further promote to the rank and file the need for this in the wider struggle as the jobs massacre continues many of our members in the future could end up victims of these sanctions.

Commercial Sector Subscription Rates

PCS currently has a two-tier system of subscription rates for members. For those members in recognised workplaces, such as those members in the Civil Service, rates are calculated as 0.6 percent of gross, basic pay, subject to a maximum rate of £12.68. Those members in companies or workplaces that do not have recognition currently pay the ‘unrecognised members rate’, which according to the PCS rules is, “a rate equal to one half of the ordinary maximum rate a month, or one quarter of the ordinary rate if they work fewer than 25 hours a week”. (from NEC Subscriptions Policy 2012-2013, PCS Rules)

Conference recognises the following:

-        That it is positive that PCS has recently taken a turn towards organising Commercial Sector workers in civil service workplaces, such as contracted cleaners, catering staff, and security.

-        That many of these jobs pay very low wages, many pertaining to the national minimum wage, which is £6.19 per hour for over 21, £4.98 for 18-20, and £3.68 for under 18. (from Gov.uk)

Conference notes that the current subscriptions structure creates a situation where members on minimum wage in unrecognised employers may end up paying a proportionally larger amount of subscriptions than their equivalent in a recognised employer.

Conference notes the example of someone working 25 hours a week for the minimum wage and due to their employer, is currently required to pay the unrecognised rate of £6.34 a month. If this same person was paying at the deduction of 0.6%, they would be paying little over £4 a month.

This particularly affects those working on or around the 25 hours mark as the £6.34 remains the same whether someone work 25 hours, or (for example) 48 hours a week.

Conference instructs the NEC to discuss the following in the formation of the next Subscriptions Policy Document:

-       That the current system costs our lowest paid members disproportionately more in subscriptions, which is not only unfair, but is also proving to be a barrier to recruitment and retention for activists.

-      That the number of hours considered as ‘full time’ in the existing policy (25 hours) is particularly low and should be increased to a number more in line with what is usually referred to as ‘full time’ by PCS (e.g. 35 hours or more).

-      That PCS subscription rates should be adjusted in relation to the different rates of wages for younger workers, and consideration of those under 25 who are less likely to be able to apply for Working Tax Credits.