PCS general secretary election - Support Marion Lloyd - action not words; a proven track record of fighting for members' interests

PCS union members on the 'climate strike' demo, London, 20.9.19, photo JB (Click to enlarge)

Katrine Williams, vice-President DWP Group (personal capacity)

On 14 October, nominations close for the PCS civil servants' union general secretary election.

Socialist Party member Marion Lloyd is standing as a candidate. She needs 15 branch nominations to get on the ballot paper. Our message is simple. If you want as general secretary a socialist woman with a proven record of fighting for members support Marion Lloyd.

A union member all her working life in large and small government departments, and in the private sector, Marion is currently BEIS group president and has been on the union's national executive committee for nearly 20 years.

An experienced negotiator locally and nationally, she has led campaigns and strikes which have saved jobs, prevented office closures and improved pay and conditions.
Marion stands for action not words. Typical of this is her leading role in the campaign against the Sheffield BIS office closure - saving 400 jobs.
Marion is standing on a 'no personal gain' platform. She pledges to "stay on my current wage and not take the general secretary salary."
Marion will campaign to get the Tories out. She says "PCS should support Corbyn's anti-austerity manifesto and a Labour government based on this. Any general election should be used to build mass support for a bold anti-cuts programme in line with PCS policy, rather than to give blanket support to all Labour candidates."
Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to put a stop to attacks on our pay and conditions. Marion argues this is welcome but "we cannot sit back and place all our hopes on a Corbyn government. Preparations for a third statutory ballot is necessary for 2020 pay. Having failed to achieve legal ballots twice already, a fresh approach is required which encourages maximum debate and discussion to help us get our tactics and strategy right - allowing consideration of individual group ballots and the inclusion of a range of issues in addition to pay."
Marion has first-hand experience of balancing the challenges of being a working mother and trade union activist. She will "prioritise measures such as a full equality overhaul of all departmental personnel policies and practices to help secure better equality at work and within the union - LGBT+, women, youth; older members, disabled and black members. Equality starts in the workplace."
Union democracy is a major part of Marion's programme. She believes: "Control of the union at all levels by members and lay activists is crucial" and that "All senior full-time officers should be elected and accountable."
Alongside pay, jobs and office closures are the major concerns of members. Marion believes that a successful campaign to save jobs and stop the closure of her office in Sheffield shows resistance can work. She says: "A strong national lead is needed to oppose the wholesale office closures programme and give members confidence to get involved in local battles against office closures and to defend jobs."
The school students and Extinction Rebellion have focused much-needed attention on climate change. Marion argues: "This is a trade union issue. It starts in the workplace by making sure our offices follow best practice on green issues including statutory rights for green reps."
Support Marion Lloyd for general secretary with your vote at your branch nomination meeting. If you have any questions or would like to invite Marion to speak contact [email protected]
Facebook Marion Lloyd for PCS General Secretary
Twitter @marion4gs

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.