In the afternoon, PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka addressed the Conference. Mark thanked reps, members and activists for all their support and work throughout the year.
Mark reported that PCS had stabilised membership levels despite staff cuts, and had increased the membership density. There are now 5000 distributors in workplaces. The union's finances are stabilised, which has allowed recruitment of more organisers, campaign officers, equal pay and equality co-ordinators. Learning reps have been developed, and the learning agenda has improved recruitment. The Make Your Vote Count campaign was successful, and will enable a similar campaign to take place for the next general election, making candidates answer our members' concerns.
Mark reminded Conference of the massive scale of the attacks on Civil Service pay, conditions and the services provided to the public. He emphasised that there is no quick fix in this dispute. On pay, Mark said there is no Departmental solution to the pay limits imposed by the chancellor.