Public and Commercial Services Union

Motion A54 was carried NEC Attitude: support

Conference notes with alarm the absolute hypocrisy of nations such as the US and Britain that already have nuclear weapons of mass
destruction opposing other nations from being able to develop their own.

The US is the only country so far that has actually used nuclear weapons and they did nothing to prevent Israel developing theirs –
a secret development that has unsettled the Middle East.

Conference recognises the bravery of Mordecai Vanunu serving 18 years in jail for telling the world of Israel’s secret nuclear
weapons programme development in 1986.

Conference also recognises the bravery of protestors arrested for objecting to the existence of Trident submarines based at Faslane.

Conference agrees that PCS policy should be one of the oppostion to the renewal of Trident said to cost £76 billion – monies which
would be more usefully spent on education, health and pensions.
Conference instructs the NEC to record its opposition to Trident renewal at whatever forums are appropriate including raising the
issue at the TUC and writing to the British Government.

E marked motion associated with lead motion A54: E325

Motion A356 was carried, NEC Attitude: support

This Conference recognises that under International Law nuclear weapons are illegal, and that currently a bill is getting put
through the Scottish Parliament to criminalise the politicians and senior military personnel who promote and are in charge of the
nuclear deterrent.

The Conference recognises however that thousands of households in the West Dunbartonshire area rely on the Clyde naval bases of
Faslane and Coulport, and the area would be economically devastated if these naval bases were under threat.

This Conference recognises that many people and many trade unions are against Trident and against the replacement of Trident.
However, this Conference must remember that there are hundreds of PCS members working in these naval bases.

Without prejudicing PCS taking a position on Trident, the incoming NEC is instructed that its foremost though if campaigning against
Trident is the safeguarding of the hundreds of PCS members at Faslane and Coulport.

Motion Composite B was remitted NEC Attitude: support

Conference recognises that the restoration of an elected power-sharing government in Northern Ireland (NI) on 8 May is an important development in a ‘peace process’ that has seen a significant reduction in the number of killings and bombings. Conference believes that a functioning Northern Ireland Assembly is the best way of locally elected politicians being held accountable for decisions that affect working people in Northern Ireland.

Conference agrees that the withdrawal of troops and the disbandment of all paramilitary groups is essential. However, Conference believes that the key problem in Northern Ireland is not military – it is political.

The cutting and privatisation of public services, in the midst of deepening sectarian divisions, show that the main political parties in NI are failing to represent the interests of working people. While the return to devolved government is an important development, there is little reason to expect that the governing parties will make real progress in tackling the many social and economic problems faced by most working people.

Conference welcomes the work carried out by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) over the past period and agrees there is a political vacuum in NI that trade unions can play an important role in filling.

Trade unions, including PCS, should offer support to those cross-community and campaign groups who are genuinely involved in combating sectarian division, who support trade unionism and trade union rights, and who are involved in resisting attacks by government and employers on the jobs, conditions and living standards of workers.

Conference therefore welcomes the recent development of a mass campaign of opposition to government plans to impose new compulsory water charges on all households in NI. We welcome the decision of the ICTU, and our sister-union NIPSA, to support a campaign of mass non-payment of the proposed charges. Conference recognises the potential of this campaign to unite thousands of workers from all backgrounds and so combat sectarianism. As part of our commitment to combating sectarian division, and building real unity in workplaces and communities across NI, Conference instructs the NEC to:

1.Offer full support to the mass non-payment campaign being built by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, NIPSA and the ‘We Won’t Pay
Campaign’.

2.In consultation with our members, and those organisations involved in organising for non-payment, identify practical ways in which PCS can play a prominent role in building the campaign against water charges.

3.Work with PCS representatives in Northern Ireland to support the Irish Congress of Trade Unions campaign to make the assembly work.

4.Set up a PCS Assembly group in Northern Ireland on the same basis as the groups in Scotland and Wales.

E marked motions associated with lead motion Composite B: EM15, E66

Motion A56 was carried NEC Attitude: support

Conference notes:

1. That over 12,000 jobs have been lost in the NHS since April 1st 2006.

2.New Labour’s continued commitment to privatisation of the NHS – a process that is wasting the extra money put into the NHS on
profiteers rather than increasing spending on patients.

3.the growing anger that exists amongst workers, users and the labour movement about cuts, closures and privatisation - as shown by the NHS Logistics strike and the massive demonstrations taking place up and down the country e.g. 5000 in Stamford, Lincolnshire;
2000 in Epsom, Surrey; and 5000 in Worthing, Surrey.

Conference instructs the NEC to:

1. Write to the TUC:

a. Congratulating them on launching the NHS Together campaign against further privatisation.

b. Pledging support for any regional/ local activities organised as part of that campaign.

c. Pledging support for nay national demonstration in support of the NHS.

2. Send a delegation and union banners to any national demonstration against the cuts and privatisation agenda and in favour of an adequately resourced, public NHS.

3. Publicise and build ongoing campaigns to stop cuts, closures and further privatisation in the NHS.

4.Proactively seek to link NHS and PCS campaigns and activities wherever possible.

E marked motion associated with lead motion A56: E337

Motion A57 was carried NEC Attitude: support

This Union notes that one of Britain’s leading health activists, Yunus Bakhsh, has been suspended from his job as a nurse on
Tyneside. Yunus is joint branch secretary of Unison North of Tyne health branch, one of the best-organised union branches in the
NHS. He sits on the union’s health service group executive.

Yunus has been active in fighting to defend the NHS for 20 years. Many people hoped that under a New Labour government we would see greater protection for trade unionists and a better deal for the health service.

Instead we are seeing growing attacks as the government and the NHS managers across the country seek to drive through sweeping budget cuts. Yunus has been forefront of opposing these attacks. We believe that those who care about the fight to save the NHS, and about trade union democracy, should get behind the campaign to reinstate Yunus. This conference instructs the NEC to write to the Chief Executive of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Trust to demand Yunus’s reinstatement and to send a message of support to Unison in their campaign to defend him

Motion A58 was carried, NEC Attitude: support

This Conference applauds the actions and determination of ASLEF that has resulted in the European Court of Human Rights ruling that
means the right to freedom of association does not force unions to accept into membership people opposed to basic principles of
trade unionism.

Conference believes that fascist organisations such as the BNP have no place in civil society as such organisations seek to cause
disharmony, divisions and social unrest by scapegoating and victimising vulnerable sections of society.

Conference notes that whilst the fascist organisations target vulnerable sections of society, eventually they mean to attack and
curtail freedom of speech and association of anyone opposed to their values and beliefs.

Conference notes that fascist political parties are nonetheless gaining support from certain quarters of society not only in the UK and across Europe. The extent to which fascists have been able to gain support has led to a consolidation of power by far right
parties at European level.

Conference believes that government failure to tackle racism in the UK has given rise to the growth in support of fascist political
parties and policies.

This Conference believes that fascism and racism should not be accommodated and should be systematically challenged. We must continue to campaign for solutions to the social issues such as jobs, housing, facilities and public services which the far-right are able to exploit.

Conference notes that the PCS political fund will help to focus the union’s commitment to anti-fascist/racist commitment and
congratulates the work PCS has been doing with organisations such as Searchlight and Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and the launch of
PCS Against Fascism.

This conference also notes the efforts PCS has put into trying to reach agreement with the government that fascists should not hold public office and the closure of the fascist REDWATCH website. Conference believes that in view of the rise of fascism/racism in the UK, PCS needs a long term cohesive anti-fascist/racist strategy that will facilitate pro­active membership anti-fascist/racist activities.

Conference believes that in order to achieve the long term cohesive strategy, it is important that the NEC effectively supports
members through various mechanisms and structured initiatives and instructs the NEC to:

(i) facilitate a scoping exercise with a view to making recommendations to PCS ADC 2008 proposals with a view to ensuring the union’s anti­fascist/racist work becomes an ongoing agenda item at group, branch and regional level.
(ii) support regional committees with developing community based anti­fascist/racist activities by building and strengthening links with Town Committees and like minded organisations.
(iii) work with the TUC and our European partners to oppose the ultra far right block (Identity, Tradition & Sovereignty) that has
been formed in Europe.
(iv) broaden the ‘Make Your Vote Count’ campaign to provide ongoing support for branch anti-fascist/racist initiatives in the workplace.
(v) Work with our Parliamentary Group and other TUs to challenge and oppose the BNP’s attempts to establish a front organisation,
Solidarity, the British Workers Union, as a legitimate trade union.
(vi) educate the membership about the origins of fascism and the threat it continues to pose to society.
(vii) produce regular anti-fascist/racist information through Activate and regional and local newsletters.
(viii) ensure that PCS activists education material incorporates anti- fascist/racist training.

E marked motions covered by lead motion A58: E38-E349

Motion A59 was carried, NEC Attitude: support

Conference notes with extreme disappointment the lack of progress in the Civil Service to ban membership of far-right, fascist and
racist organisations across Civil Service organisations. Conference also notes the initial promising discussions which took place
between the CCSU and the Cabinet Office.

However, Conference is extremely disappointed that the Cabinet Office, thus far, have not followed the lead of the Police and the
Prison Service on this vital issue for BME and other members. Conference therefore instructs the incoming NEC:

To, through the CCSU, give the Cabinet Office a clear cut-off point and deadlines where the unions would expect progress on this
important issue;

To raise this issue in Parliament through the PCS Parliamentary Group; and

To launch a campaign on this issue if the Cabinet Office refuse to make progress on this issue, including:

Launching a letter writing campaign amongst all MPs for members to write into their MP highlighting this issue within all Civil Service organisations

• Starting a media campaign alerting the wider public to this important issue
• Organising a Conference on this issue, in conjunction with other unions, the TUC, Trade Councils, Anti-Racist organisations such as Unite Against Fascism, Searchlight and others to push forward this issue in the public arena
• Launching a campaign amongst the membership, such as a postcard campaign as organised within DCA Group, as well as actively supporting groups such as DCA and Defra Groups who have or will have called on their own organisations to institute such a ban.

To use all industrial, campaigning, legal and other means to push forward on this issue.

Motion A60 was carried, NEC Attitude: support

This National Conference notes the amendments to the Work and Families Act 2006 which extends maternity rights of parents whose
expected week of childbirth begins on or after the 1 April 2007.

This includes the payment period for statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance will be extended to 39 weeks towards the goal
of a year’s paid leave by the end of this Parliament.

Conference further notes, Cabinet Office correspondence to all HR Directors dated 23rd November 2006 which states that individuals
who are already entitled to 26 weeks contractual rates “ will only be entitled to the flat rate maternity pay of £108.85 for the
remaining 13 weeks”.

This guidance was issued without consultation with PCS which goes against the national partnership agreement with the union, undermines the pay coherence talks that are ongoing and undermines the commitment to diversity and gender equality.

Therefore, this conference instructs the NEC to continue to campaign for full contractual rights for the full 39 weeks and to
include this as part of the campaign on pay coherence.

Motion A61 was carried NEC Attitude: support

This Conference notes that rape is commonly becoming a weapon of war. Conference also notes that people from various parts of the
world are persecuted because of their sexuality or gender identification.

Conference notes countries that have liberal attitudes towards sexuality and gender identification can evade the plight of those
persecuted on the aforementioned grounds by using domestic legislation that create unnecessary obstacles for those who have been raped as a result of war, or persecuted/tortured on the grounds of their sexuality or gender identity.

Conference notes that often, those who manage to escape persecution or war, with a view to seeking asylum in the UK often face further humiliation by the British immigration and asylum process - particularly where applicants face language barriers and/or
denied adequate advocacy and representation at tribunals.

Conference believes that the formation of the ultra right caucus [Identity, Tradition and Sovereignty] in the European Parliament
and proposals by Europe to adopt a common immigration and asylum policy will further strengthen the concept of fortress Europe and
as a result it will become increasingly difficult for those claiming asylum on the grounds of sexuality, gender identification and
war to successfully 'claim asylum if their rights are entirely bound up with UK and European law.

This conference instructs the NEC to work with European and International like minded organisations to begin international dialogue and make international interventions, to protect and enhance the rights of people seeking asylum as a result of rape [used as a weapon of war], and/or persecuted on the grounds of sexuality or gender identity. Part of this process should be to make amendments to international conventions [where the UK is a signatory] as necessary.

This conference also instructs the NEC to work with NGOs such as the Refugee Council and the JCWI, to conduct a review of the
existing processes asylum seekers undergo with a view to

(i) Identify and eliminate unfair practices that act as artificial barriers to those seeking asylum and

(ii) seek improvements in practices to enhance the rights of those claiming asylum on the grounds of sexuality, gender identification or
being fleeing rape as a result of war.

E marked motions associated with lead motion A60: E350 and E351

Motion A527 was carried NEC Attitude: support

This ADC notes that while there are clear advantages in closer working between the police, customs and immigration there are genuine reasons to oppose a single border agency or border police force.

The three agencies all undertake vastly different and complex
tasks which require considerable training and specialist knowledge.

Officers working for a single border agency or border police
force would necessarily be unable to have the skills in all the areas covered by the three agencies, there would therefore necessarily be a dilution of skills and thus protection to the country.

This ADC therefore calls on the NEC to:

a. set up a working group involving representatives from the Immigration Service and Her Majesties Revenue & Customs

b. campaign vigorously against a single border agency or border police force.

Motion A62 was remitted NEC Attitude: oppose

Conference will be aware that this government is looking into the feasibility of congestion charging during peak periods on our roads and motorways. Many of our members will not be able to avoid the times these charges will operate and will suffer the financial hardship of being charged to drive to work.

Conference recognises that many of our members can not travel outside these hours and that in many circumstances public transport is unavailable or impractical. Many members are facing longer journeys because of office closures. Conference is asked to seek assurances that staff working in areas affected by congestion charging are exempt from these charges when travelling to work.

E marked motion associated with lead motion A62: E352

Motion A64 was carried, NEC Attitude: support with statement

Conference expresses its concern at the congestion, pollution, and traffic chaos and rising cost of travel to low-paid and
middle-income families since deregulation and privatisation of transport services.

With poverty, pollution and global warming mounting as concerns, conference supports radical measures to combat these problems:

• Demand re-regulation of all bus services in the UK so that routes, services and fares can be brought under the control of
  democratically elected local authorities
• Support this as a first step towards public ownership of all forms of transport – buses, rail, ferries, underground systems, trams,
  light railways, etc – with democratic control of a publicly owned, integrated transport system
• Support in principle the introduction of a fare-free public transport system within the lifetime of a parliament / Scottish
  parliament / Welsh assembly as a means of combating poverty and pollution, with massive public investment in the infrastructure and staffing levels required to match the increased demand that would ensue

Conference agrees to commission costings for a free public transport system across the UK, as part of a campaign of public awareness
of a policy that would be the modern, radical equivalent of the introduction of the NHS in the 1940s.

E marked motion associated with lead motion A64: E353

Motion A65 was carried NEC Attitude: support with statement

This Conference is concerned:

• At the growing number of adults who cannot afford to buy a home because of the ever-increasing rises in house and flat prices – particularly low paid public sector workers some of whom are paid only the minimum wage
• At the number of unused and underused Brownfield sites that are kept out of use and thereby create an artificial shortage of sites that are needed for homes, jobs and services
• At the rise in land prices that are affected by the announcement of events such as the 2012 Olympics whilst, at the same time, there is a call for increased taxes to pay for the facilities and public transport systems that, once built , will add to the already inflated land prices
• A failure of our tax system whereby we have unfair and often avoidable or evadable taxes on wages and profits yet which ignores the unearned income that goes to landowners and
• At the desire of this government and developers to encourage new homes to be built on Greenfield sites in places that mean long distance commuting by car which further adds to the already damaged environment and road deaths and injuries.

This Conference recognizes:

• That all land values are created through the social and economic activities of everyone in society
• That tenants (residential and commercial) get no return from the increases in land values that they too help to create
• That the unearned income that arises from land values goes to landowners and is not shared fairly with all who create them
• That there is no real incentive for landowners to bring sites into full use, according to their optimum permitted use, and which
  encourages land speculation and greed

This Conference calls on the National Executive committee to engage with the Government to get them to explore positive policies
that will:

• Bring about a more efficient use of all land
• Reduce the negative effects of long-distance commuting on the environment and people’s safety
• Capture at least some of the land value that the whole of society creates through its economic and social activities
• Use this income to reduce inefficient, unfair and avoidable taxes and
• Encourage the creation and development of new and existing businesses; new homes; encourage refurbishment of rundown homes.

Motion A67 was carried, NEC Attitude: support

Conference notes that the Government is trying to backtrack on the concept of comprehensive education and allow selection for
secondary schools through the back door.

This is clear via the introduction of academies, establishment of Trust schools and the removal of responsibility for education from local authorities.

Such a policy would discriminate against the poorest working class families. Yet the consequences of this “New” Labour legislation
could take us back to the pre – war years of neo – pauper education.

Currently, there is no evidence that academies are performing
to the required standard. So far, there are reported examples of academies draining the taxpayers’ money by hundreds of millions of
pounds.

According to the reports of the Campaign for State Education, there could be a far more sinister situation for Trust Schools. If they are not performing to standard, they will face closure. All Trust Schools will be financed by private companies and may not receive the proper funding that comprehensive schools receive from local authorities. As we are already witnessing the catastrophic damage committed by “New” Labour on other Public Services, the quality of schools could sink further.

In fact, many Trust Schools and probably academies could close in the future at this rate. Will our children, particularly those of our PCS
members, not receive a school place?

But even worse, could we witness the resurrection of schools subjected to Victorian style poverty?

Therefore, Conference instructs the NEC:

1. To ensure that the PCS Union supports and campaigns for a properly financed system of Comprehensive Education.

2. To raise with other Trade Unions the need for a co-ordinated strategy against selection and independent schools controlled by
private individuals and the private sector.

It is important that we fully develop such a campaign during a time when the government continues to undermine the quality services
of the Learning Skills Council along with the Department of Education and Skills.

Guillotined: A68, A69, A70, A71, A72, and A73