PCS: Elect Marion Lloyd for a fighting general secretary

Katrine Williams, vice-president PCS DWP Group (personal capacity)

Marion Lloyd is on the ballot paper for the PCS general secretary election having won 39 nominations from all parts of the union.

The election starts 7 November when ballot papers will be posted out to members. It closes at noon 12 December.

Marion is a member of the Socialist Party, is the elected president of the BEIS Group and a member of the PCS national executive committee. She has been a PCS member all her working life and has been employed in a range of government departments big and small.

Marion says: “I’m delighted with the response from branches, activists and members. I am looking forward to taking my programme to PCS members in the ballot. I am standing on the basis of ‘Action not Words’, addressing key issues such as:

• More resources to support members and branches locally including finance, quick access to legal advice, improved membership services and support for personal casework – lay control over all aspects of the union and decision making including the election of all senior full-time officers.
• A pay strategy for 2020 which puts us in the best position to secure a statutory ballot, and action to win on pay and other crucial issues such as jobs, pensions and office closures.
• No material gain for me as I will stay on my current wage and give back the rest to the union.
• An equality agenda which starts in the workplace and union branches and builds from there.
• A general election now to get rid of the Tories.
• Support for a Corbyn-led government on an anti-austerity agenda but retaining the right, as a politically independent union, to support candidates who support us.

“After a decade of defensive struggle it’s time to go on the offensive. We need a leadership which will listen, encourage debate and then give a lead. A leadership which gives members the confidence to fight on the issues that matter to them. A leadership which will actively co-ordinate across the union our fight on pay, jobs, pensions, compensation scheme and office closures.

“I led a successful campaign to stop the closure of my own office, BIS Sheffield. I feel the tremendous support for my candidature reflects a recognition of my record. But also I sense there is a mood for change and for a fresh approach. I am the candidate who best meets this need.”

These results show Marion Lloyd is the best placed candidate to contest Mark Sewotka.

There is very little time for PCS branches to get ready for the next critical stage of this important election. Ballot papers go out to members on 7 November.

Full branch nominations:

Marion Lloyd: 39 branches

Bev Laidlaw: 17 branches

Mark Serwotka: 62 branches

• If you can help or want more information contact Marion4GenSec@gmail.com
• Facebook – ‘Marion Lloyd for PCS General Secretary‘ and Twitter – @marion4gs