National Conference is the body that decides the union's policy. It is attended by over 1200 delegates from all areas of PCS, and 165 motions are scheduled for debate. The motions debated today included furtherance of the industrial action to protect public services, to campaign against the government's policy of shifting civil service work into the voluntary sector, continuance of the fight for civil service pay coherence, and affiliations to Abortion Rights and the charity Inquest. Also debated was a rule change to the union's disciplinary process. The debate which provoked the most discussion was about a change to the rules about removing reserved seats on the NEC for black members, and to introduce reserved seats on the NEC and GECs for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members by 2008 and produce plans for improving representation by the end of 2008. Both motions were defeated following strong arguments from NEC members. Although the NEC now has three black members who won their seats on merit and did not need to resort to the reserved seat option, it was argued that the reserved seat does still serve as a first rung for black members to make their initial mark. It was argued that, as the union has no record of the numbers of LGBT members, it cannot yet determine whether the group is underrepresented. It was held that the NEC will work, before the end of 2008, to initiate action to ensure no group is underrepresented.
Tomorrow it's the second day. Dudley has one motion up for debate - A97 which instructs the NEC to seek an allocation for facility time for union equality officers. Beth is preparing her speech right now as I update the blog. It's a long day for delegates.