Public and Commercial Services Union

How your representative helps you will depend on the circumstances of the case and what you want or are prepared to accept.

Your representative will advise on the options available to you, and the best course of action to take.

It remains your decision if you wish to follow their advice, although, if you do not follow the advice given, there may be a limit as to how much help your representative can then give you.

Sometimes your representative can provide you with the information you need by referring you to the codes and manuals that can be so difficult to navigate.

They may be able to reassure you based on their experience of others in your position and advise you what to do next.

Reps can act on your behalf

It may be that your representative can write on your behalf to management.

This can sometimes cause management to reflect on what they have done or intend to do, as they know that your representative will pick up on any errors that they make.

Sometimes getting management to reflect on a decision will be all you need to put the matter right.

It may be that your representative can accompany you to a meeting with management to discuss your case and seek to negotiate an acceptable outcome with you.

This can help resolve a matter quickly as exchanges of correspondence can take a long time.

If you are facing a disciplinary hearing or have taken a grievance then you have a legal right to be accompanied by a union representative.

What if your case is against another member?

It may well be the case that you have a grievance against or feel you have been treated badly by a member of staff who is also a member of PCS.

This member may also approach the union, and is entitled to representation where appropriate. PCS is very careful to be fair in such cases, and will ensure that confidential information is not shared.

What if the issues affect people other than yourself?

Some issues affect more than one person and it may be best to take these up as a collective complaint or grievance, as many voices will be more effective than one.

You should consider whether others have the same issues as you, before you meet with your representative.

If this is the case, your representative may look to meet with all those affected and may discuss the option of taking forward a collective grievance.

It may also be necessary to launch a campaign around this particular issue and to involve a PCS Regional Organiser, who will be able to arrange leaflets, petitions and publicity.