By Paul Wolfe, PCS rep (personal capacity)
On Thursday 27 June following the Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement the previous day of further cuts to jobs and services in the Comprehensive Spending Review a large number PCS representatives and members held a lunchtime protest in Custom House Square in Belfast. Alongside PCS members there was a large crowd made up of members from a number of trade unions including NIPSA, Unite and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union.
This rally coincided with a number of similar rallies across the UK which were organised by the National Executive Committee of PCS as a continuation of the serious dispute in which PCS members are currently involved regarding pay freezes and the detrimental changes to terms and conditions. Privatisation is also a real threat to thousands of members and to date the Cabinet Office has refused to enter into meaningful negotiations with PCS on these issues.
The rally was addressed by 2 guest speakers Ronnie Draper from the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union and Brian Campfield the general secretary of NIPSA. Both Ronnie Draper and Brian Campfield promised continued support to PCS members in Northern Ireland whilst also condemning the chancellor’s statement from the previous day.
The meeting concluded with Derek Thomson of the PCS national executive who condemned the government on their refusal to hold meaningful negotiations Derek also called on other unions to get involved in the campaign and to join with PCS in their campaign. Derek finished by informing everyone present that PCS would spend the summer months in consultation with members and branches across the UK to see how we continue this campaign.
