PCS strikers. Photo: Paul Mattsson

In May, members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) elected a campaigning National Executive Committee (NEC) – a coalition for change. But this new NEC majority has so far been blocked by the general secretary and president, both of whom are in the misnamed Left Unity group.

At an emergency NEC on 27 August, the NEC majority submitted the motion below, rejecting the government’s 5% pay remit and preparing a strategy to campaign.

At the meeting, yet again, the national president, Martin Cavanagh, ruled out the motions and amendments from the NEC majority coalition. This is an outrageous abuse of presidential powers, which has again prevented full open and democratic discussion at the leading elected lay body of the union.

This is why there are growing calls for a Special Delegate Conference to allow reps and members to debate the way forward on vital issues such as pay, jobs, pensions and cuts, and to reassert democratic lay control over the union leadership.

As the Socialist went to press, the NEC was still meeting, and a full report will follow.

The motion they ruled out

Motion from the NEC majority to the emergency August NEC 

This NEC notes that despite having no agreement from the NEC, the general secretary (GS) has circulated her views to members regarding pay, namely: 

• That the 5% pay remit should be accepted 
• The national campaign should be abandoned  
• Delegated pay talks should go ahead 

The NEC further notes the general secretary confirmed in her reply to the debate which took place at the 17 July NEC, her opposition to the alternative strategy which had been proposed. She deliberately failed to notify members in her recent email of that alternative, nor that the president refused to allow this to be discussed or put to the vote. Rather, he proceeded to close the meeting.  

The alternative strategy included: 

• The Civil Service pay remit of 5% to be rejected nationally    
• Demands posed by conference motion A315 – considering previous conference policies such as the reduction in the working week – are placed without delay  

The NEC notes that the senior lay reps’ forums [SLRF] accepted the NEC majority position that the remit of 5% is not enough, and that other elements of the national campaign should have been pursued. Concerns were raised that the lack of funding for the pay remit will mean cuts in jobs and services, burdening an already overworked and underfunded workforce. 

The NEC agrees we: 

• Urgently seek further meetings with the Cabinet Office to make clear that 5% is not enough 
• Reopen discussions on the remit and PCS’s other negotiating priorities 
• Ensure the negotiating team reflects the views of the NEC and that the Senior Officers Committee [SOC] should determine the composition of that team 

The NEC shares the concerns expressed at the Senior Lay Rep meetings and asserts that the failure of the GS to appropriately press PCS’ demands on pay and other priorities, combined with the president’s obstruction of any alternative to the GS proposals, has created a situation whereby reps feel they have little choice but to engage in delegated pay bargaining talks. Unhelpfully, the national MAB [briefing] instructing negotiators not to engage in delegated talks was distributed without the agreement of and prior to the NEC meeting to consider its response to the pay remit. This instruction (in line with those issued in previous years) would have been correct had the GS told the employer that 5% is unacceptable and committed to building a campaign capable of winning, rather than a cynical attempt to undermine the NEC. 

Given the actions of the national president and the general secretary, the NEC can only conclude that they have no intention of allowing any debate which will lead to a strategy which would prepare the ground for the battles that will come on jobs, pay and conditions. The committee believes this to be an abuse of power and an affront to our democratic traditions. 

Given this context, the NEC believes that it is in the best interests of our members to proceed with delegated talks and agrees to:

• Authorise reps to engage in delegated pay talks
• Notify groups and national branches without delay
• Produce guidance for pay negotiators that makes clear they must continue to challenge the pay remit in line with union policies, including that PCS does not accept the 5% pay remit, the lack of progression, eradication of low pay, alongside seeking to secure the best possible outcome for members. Full disclosure must be sought from employers as to how pay will be funded given there is no new money
• Ensure the NEC is notified of progress and outcomes of delegated discussions
• Pledge full support to any area that wishes to exercise its strike mandate and/or ballot areas who wish to move into dispute on pay and/or pay related issues 

The NEC notes some reps at the SLRF questioned the need for the levy, which was imposed by the previous NEC without any consultation. The NEC understands these concerns but also recognises the need to build the union’s current fighting fund which is not sufficient to support the action we can anticipate in support of our national campaign.  

The NEC agrees to:

• Instruct the GS to write to the minister making it clear that PCS rejects the “up to 5%” set out in the pay remit, set out why we are not content with the guidance, state that we expect any pay award to be fully funded. This letter will be agreed with the SOC and published to members
• That the levy should continue, but at a reduced rate of £1 for our lowest-paid members effective immediately, i.e. those earning below £25,000. Additionally, the review, already agreed by the NEC, should begin immediately. Income from a reduced rate of 50p, £1 and £2 is to be modelled and shared with the NEC urgently, and a final decision taken by the National Disputes Committee. Thereafter a wider review of the levy to commence, overseen by the National Disputes Committee with proposals put to the NEC in advance of the November meeting