Only unity can deliver for members in year ahead, says acting president
PCS Acting President Martin Cavanagh opened this year’s annual delegate conference in Brighton by telling delegates that the union can only deliver for members if unity is achieved over the next 12 months.
Formally opening this year’s conference, Martin welcomed all delegates, trainee delegates, observers, and new attendees. Martin then paid respects to colleagues who have died over the past 12 months.
Martin expressed his gratitude to branch reps across the union for helping him take up the role of president. He hopes to carry out his duty as president “with honesty and integrity” and thanked his predecessor, Fran Heathcote, the current general secretary, for her leadership.
“I have no doubt that PCS will go from strength to strength under Fran’s stewardship,” he said. “I can’t think of anyone better placed to lead us, apart from maybe Jurgen Klopp.”
Unity
Martin also congratulated the new NEC, which was elected last week. For the year ahead, he said, the key theme for the NEC will be unity.
“The next 12 months are going to be so important for us as a union and our movement,” he said. “That is why unity is more important than it has ever been before.”
He called on the conference to “unite on our common ground" and “remember who our real enemies are”.
“We’ve shown that, when we do unite, we can deliver for members,” he added, highlighting the effectiveness of the national campaign in winning unprecedented concessions from the government.
“Members have been through too much for us to get this wrong,” he said. “A third of members have told us they skip meals. Just under 10% have had to use a foodbank. And tens of 1000s of our members not only receive minimum wage but in-work benefits.”
Find out more about PCS conference on our dedicated web page and follow the latest updates on our website and on social media with the hashtag #PCSADC