Public and Commercial Services Union RSS http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/ http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/22970756-0662-403B-832D2D6F037F48F8 Inadequate staffing, unrealistic targets, draconian sickness policies, low pay, poor training, deskilling, excessive monitoring, hostility to unions, and a lack of regard for health and safety. Comment Article Thu, 14 Feb 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/C15292A5-BF0A-4C44-B8C910938FA36B2D With preparations underway for this year's Tolpuddle festival, Tim Lezard of south west TUC examines the martyrs' legacy. Comment Article Mon, 21 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/E83BC1EE-746E-4C73-9B8481B1375ED79B In the April 2008 edition of Activate, tax campaigner Richard Murphy outlined his analysis of the £33bn lost to the UK economy every year through tax avoidance and planning by the very wealthy. Comment Article Fri, 18 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/6FE8CD62-F1B0-4667-B09EF671F2EEDAD9 Prevalent in the US for many years, the tactics used by US employers to persuade workers against joining a union are increasingly being used by UK companies. Comment Article Fri, 18 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/5D651347-31DF-4C1E-A69BFEF7F682509B Office for National Statistics rep Graham Greenlees is petitioning the prime minister to fund progression and 'cost of living' pay rises separately in the civil service. Comment Article Fri, 28 Mar 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/73E3DF75-690A-4E7F-BBFA9AB23A68DF82 The longest working hours in Europe, the shortest lunch breaks, the fewest public holidays, expensive childcare and poor provision for older people. PCS research officer Pam Cole says UK workers don't have it easy. Comment Article Thu, 14 Feb 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/8CA9B7FE-87D4-457D-994B25069D398F86 As victimised Child Support Agency rep Eddie Fleming awaits his tribunal hearing, he continues to enjoy massive support from members in Hastings and across the union. Comment Article Fri, 18 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/EB8F6C6E-ED9F-4892-B49385A64C237D7F PCS young members' organiser Tracy Edwards reports back from a joint trade union conference called to tackle the issue of climate change. Comment Article Tue, 12 Feb 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/5C1E01C6-25F9-4069-B9741219B58A7597 A full copy of the results of the PCS activists' survey, compiled and analysed by a professor of industrial relations at Middlesex university, is available to download. Comment Article Mon, 03 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/D6CAD630-7A02-4C2D-B1294DF671EEABCD Trades Union Congress academy organiser Kat Dyer explains her priorities and aims for her 12-month placement with PCS. Comment Article Thu, 29 Nov 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/D67725FA-2F88-40A6-91D949BCBB3CD3C3 PCS policy officer Nick Clark explores the issues and uncovers the facts about migrant workers. Comment Article Thu, 29 Nov 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/8D94D4E7-9933-4352-98EBACE8211C14E8 Organising annual meetings is an important part of being a PCS activist, as Department for Work and Pensions group organiser Fran Heathcote explains. Comment Article Thu, 14 Feb 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/A933D7E4-51C8-4C48-B9FC02785A3417F0 Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is part one of his daily blog. Comment Article Mon, 24 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/A99406D5-14D5-4E87-83DD6F8B5C360E80 Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is part two of his daily blog. Comment Article Thu, 27 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/8C0E529C-4FC0-49CD-A7B869BB932FF439 Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is part three of his daily blog. Comment Article Sat, 29 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/967A4493-B4CE-4991-A7730FECEBE8DDD1 Hugh Lanning, PCS deputy general secretary, visited Palestine as part of a trade union delegation. This is the final part of his daily blog. Comment Article Mon, 31 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/A0469CD3-4D49-4EF5-A577136E4F1D6632 Following the lessons learned from Make Your Vote Count, MoD instructional officers met MEP Jill Evans to discuss ongoing concerns over the defence training review. Comment Article Wed, 09 Jan 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/6BE0C177-58CA-4F05-8EBB3555EC84CBE0 Neil Davidson, branch secretary of PCS Edinburgh central, reviews the book New Labour/Hard Labour? Restructuring and resistance inside the welfare industry. Comment Article Thu, 29 Nov 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/CAB43146-C6AD-4D18-B38002F6F030574D Following the success of our party for public services we look at how to organise your own anti-racist gig. Comment Article Tue, 01 Jan 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/414FC69F-B9AC-4E77-8E1F04B7EAF05C22 With the threat posed by third sector involvement as high as ever we continue to oppose attempts to hive off public services to external providers. Comment Article Mon, 17 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/40A83511-13BF-471B-AE9EBD73BD1BA104 John McDonnell MP, chair of the PCS parliamentary group, provides an update on the joint union campaign to opppose the privatisation of public services. Comment Article Mon, 17 Dec 2007 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/C2EA51B5-DC4B-424F-BF796027622EB4CD With many of our members engaged in industrial action we look at the law surrounding this, answering some of the most commonly asked questions. Comment Article Fri, 18 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/8BBAB0D3-EBD6-4656-816601BD7CF6D894 With individual and collective grievances a fact of working life, we look at some of the key considerations for activists - part one of two. Comment Article Fri, 08 Feb 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/F89F61F4-9DEA-4A0C-8AA8659E39D4E47C With individual and collective grievances a fact of working life, we look at some of the key considerations for activists - part two of two. Comment Article Fri, 08 Feb 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/491EDD6D-0EEB-4C64-8BBB7F305579D074 When it comes to health and safety, the law puts a clear onus on our employers to do everything reasonable to protect us. If you are recognised as a disabled person under the Disability Discrimination Act you are also entitled to reasonable adjustments to your employer?s practices and premises so you are not at a disadvantage. Comment Article Thu, 01 May 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/32292590-873D-4233-B10CE86D2834366B It may not be talked about in union meetings, or even in the staff canteen, but more and more women are working through the menopause. PCS wants to make sure their needs are recognised Comment Article Thu, 08 May 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/D814531F-5507-41EE-8F6A638282C6B81B Poor pay, health and safety abuses and unrealistic targets are often part and parcel of working in a call centre. But a new PCS charter aims to change all that Comment Article Tue, 22 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/2E1231D4-67F1-4DD0-8472CE1D08BDF7C4 Had an accident? Been injured? Forget the no-win, no-fee deals you've seen on TV and contact PCS?s personal injury scheme instead Comment Article Fri, 25 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/87B269F4-EDC3-4FB7-8611388585933B01 The Working Class Movement Library (WCML) is a unique treasure house of books, pamphlets and other objects, which needs our ongoing support to stay open. Comment Article Tue, 22 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/DAAF0B8B-EEDB-48F5-86AA8A63523FD584 As our first elected national young members' committee gets underway we spoke to chair Mark Chisman about his aims and priorities. Comment Article Tue, 22 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/3460B571-391E-4060-9C4F95D2E90F1B6E PCS education and learning officer Pav Alam looks at how and why to integrate learning with our wider efforts to organise workers and build union strength. Comment Article Wed, 30 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/11FF08F5-D689-4771-B7BACF8188CD744B An update about current cases, tribunals, and useful reports and links, from our reps' information service. Comment Article Tue, 22 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/7187A9E7-3D4F-460C-9E2DFE08F68A05EA We all know that union reps help negotiate pay and conditions but there are lots of other things they do which often go unnoticed, as we found out Comment Article Fri, 25 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/9F896CD0-53BF-438E-A6608ACB73B2B673 One of the toughest dilemmas any parent faces is when to go back to work, and who will look after our children when we do. Sharon Charity of the Daycare Trust answers some the most common questions Comment Article Sun, 27 Apr 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/4093A73B-645B-48B4-B3811D5E2BA9785A Reps dealing with individual cases concerning discrimination can get advice and guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Comment Article Thu, 01 May 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/822159C9-FD96-402C-AD795539A59BCC39 PCS reps will join colleagues from other public sector unions at a Speak up for Public Services lobby and rally in London. Comment Article Mon, 05 May 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/492C5554-2BAA-4C96-880FFB24DA472BDE Having problems with your office chair, monitor or keyboard? Worried it may be affecting your health? You don?t have to suffer in silence, says health and safety officer Phil Madelin Comment Article Fri, 09 May 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/943BAD77-D345-4CFA-9042071392B9C072 PCS reps will converge on Brighton this month for the union?s sixth annual delegate conference ? our main policy making arena and the heart of the union?s democratic structures. Comment Article Thu, 08 May 2008 http://pcs.vmnet.pixl8.co.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/C0B6176A-C0C6-40D2-9226C0D216169771 Instead of fanfares, Heathrow's spanking new Terminal 5 opened to scenes of chaos ? but PCS members continued to provide a service to passengers in this vast new airport Comment Article Fri, 09 May 2008