In an earlier posting we made the point that members voted “Yes” in the national ballot for a campaign on jobs, pay and pensions.

In reality we have just had a campaign on pensions. We understand this focus as this issue acts as the glue to keep the unions together (so far). That said, there must be a PCS campaign (with any other union who will join in) on jobs and pay.

Whilst recognising that the pay freeze and inflation has reduced member’s real living standards and so there is an objective basis for a pay campaign we are in essence starting from stop as far as pay is concerned.

Therefore we believe that the union should prepare the ground for the pay campaign by the following actions:

· Publicise, in the most imaginative and varied ways possible the pay differentials between departments and agencies;

· Publicise, in the most imaginative and varied ways possible, the notion of the going rate; that that is there is a level of pay and related conditions which if you are being paid below then you are being underpaid;

· Publicise, in the most imaginative and varied ways possible, the need for national pay and to make it a real matter of concern for the members that we do not have it.

· Publicise, in the most imaginative and varied ways possible, the effect of inflation on our living standards.

Pay has to be put back on the agenda.