Trade unions have always been concerned with national and international social and economic matters and their impacts upon working people. The first part of the morning allowed time for debate on the union's opposition to Trident, and its support of campaigns against NHS privatisation. The second part of the morning was for motions on pensions, and on the services provided by the union to its members and reps. There was also a small amount of time for one motion on health and safety - that PCS should campaign for a maximum temperature in the workplace.
After lunch came the section on Equality, followed by the Structures section. We were hoping there would be enough time for our motion in support of facility time for union Equalities Officers, it being the fourth motion in the Structures part. Beth had taken several hours to prepare her speech, but sadly the guillotine fell during the second motion.
The word 'guillotine' sounds dramatic and final. The conference timetable is managed by the Standing Orders Committee. During each section, the SOC watch the clock and inform Conference when they deem there is insufficient time for another motion to be heard. This is when the guillotine falls. On the final day, time is allocated for a small number of guillotined motions, decided by the SOC, to be heard.