Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Reflecting on 6 months as PCS General Secretary – Fran Heathcote

 

“I am proud that PCS played such a central role in challenging the last government’s policy on refugees – both on small boats and Rwanda. The defeat of that policy was a major contributor to the government’s demise.”

By Fran Heathcote, PCS General Secretary

It is now six months since I took up the post of PCS General Secretary. It has been a whirlwind period, since Mark Serwotka handed over the reins to me. Who knew, back in February that Sunak’s government would collapse, forcing an early general election? 

The first positive we can take from the new Labour government is an end to the rotten Rwanda deportation scheme. I am proud that PCS played such a central role in challenging the last government’s policy on refugees – both on small boats and Rwanda. The defeat of that policy was a major contributor to the government’s demise. All credit to our Home Office Border Force members for declaring enough is enough. But until there is a more humanitarian and decent process for asylum seekers, we will not rest this case.

As the first woman general secretary of our union, I have been warmly welcomed into the fold of the Labour movement family. I have spoken at events and rallies in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and almost every part of England, including at the Durham Miners’ Gala, Tolpuddle festival and, next month, I am addressing the Chainmakers’ Festival.

More importantly, I have joined PCS members on picket lines, in workplace meetings and spoken with and listened to reps on your priorities for the union. I have met with and given union support to sacked workers, including those at Benton Park View.

Of course, there have been robust exchanges and challenges, which I accept is part of my elected office. My leadership style is always to seek unity, but I am not afraid to challenge those who refuse to share this value. In doing so, I am absolutely committed to ensuring that the unions rules are upheld

Standing with those who call out racism and fascism

I have a lifelong commitment to PCS and under my leadership I will continue to seek to build union power, in workplaces and where things get challenging in our communities, I will stand with those who call out racism and fascism at home and oppression and genocide internationally. The events of the weekend past illustrate why this has never been more important.

As general secretary, I am committed to supporting and developing our PCS staff, and making sure that our network of PCS offices and facilities are fit for the future for all to use.

After my first six months, there is now a real industrial possibility of improvements on some of the bread-and-butter issues members have voted on in ballots and taken strike action over. We are pressing Keir Starmer’s administration for real progress on the issues that matter and have tabled our bargaining agenda. Your focus, and mine, must now be on securing that agenda, particularly on restoring and improving pay. Of course it won’t be handed to us on a plate. We must stay united and steadfast if we are to win.


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