Branch Officers

  • Charlie McDonald ~ Branch Secretary
  • Ruth Harper ~ Branch Union learning Rep
  • Bianca Robinson ~ Young Members Officer
  • Sue Catten ~ Branch Chair
  • Jeremy Watts ~ Branch Treasurer
  • Nigel Prendergast ~ Branch Organiser
  • Bruce Wheeler~ Assistant Secretary
  • Gulam Mustafa~ Branch Vice Chair
  • Jim McCartan and Emran Shaheen ~ Branch Health & Safety
  • Marjorie Browne ~ Branch Equalities Officer

Friday 24 April 2009

Stratford Question Time - Mon 1st June 09 - 6:30pm - 9pm

European Election Candidates
Question Time Event - Stratford Town Hall

Public Meeting
Monday 1st June 6.30 pm- 9 pm
Council Chamber, Stratford Town Hall
Broadway Stratford
All welcome

• Join us to put election candidates on the spot
• Vote for quality public services and fair pay on 4 June

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) are holding a question time event for politicians standing as candidates in the European elections which are to be held on Thursday 4 June. As trade unionists we will be asking candidates where they stand on our key issues of fair pay, job cuts, office closures and the privatisation of our public services.

If you are a trade unionist, anti-privatisation campaigner, pensioner or student, or someone concerned by these issues, you are welcome to come to this event.

In the current economic climate it is even more crucial to ensure that politicians do not take our votes for granted, but pledge to do something about improving public services, job losses, cuts and closures. Join us in putting candidates on the spot and come and hear where they stand on these important issues.



If you need any more information contact PCS London and South East MYVC campaign co-ordinators Lois or Tom on tel. 07518 379 752 or 07907 623 409 or email myvcgla@pcs.org.uk or myvclse@pcs.org.uk


www.pcs.org.uk/myvc

Wednesday 22 April 2009

Mandate meeting - Wednesday 6th May 2009

To: All PCSU members in DWP East London branch


Date: 22th April 2009


Notification of branch mandating meeting

Dear Colleague

I am writing to notify you of the branch mandating meeting. This is the meeting where we instruct our delegates to group and national conference how to vote on certain issues.

All of the motions due to be discussed at Conference are held by your local rep.

The meeting will take place on:

Wednesday 6th May

in the Conference room
Stratford Benefit Delivery Centre
Farthingale Walk, Stratford E15 1AN

at 2:30
(1 hour flexi credit plus reasonable traveling time have been agreed)

Anyone wishing to submit an emergency motion please send them to me, via e-mail, as soon as you can. My e-mail address is Charles.Mcdonald@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk Anyone wishing to submit an emergency motion should bring 50 copies to the meeting. Emergency motions can only be about issues that have occurred since Thursday 26th February 2009.

If you wish to attend this meeting please tell your line manager now.


Yours in solidarity




Charlie McDonald
Branch secretary

Monday 9 March 2009

Put People First - 28th March 2009

On 28th March thousands will march through London as part of a global campaign to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2nd April summit on the global financial crisis.

Even before the banking collapse, the world suffered poverty, inequality and the threat of climate chaos. The world has followed a financial model that has created an economy fuelled by ever-increasing debt, both financial and environmental.
Our future depends on creating an economy based on fair distribution of wealth, decent jobs for all and a low carbon future.
There can be no going back to business as usual.
Our message is clear. We must put people first.

LONDON MARCH ROUTE
The March will form up along Victoria Embankment from 11am on the 28th March, before setting off at noon. It will then make its way past Parliament and through the centre of London to the rally site in Hyde Park.

The nearest tube station for the march start will be Temple.

For more information visit www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk

Tuesday 24 February 2009

EAST LONDON BRANCH AGM - THURSDAY 26TH FEB 09 2:30PM

Thursday 26th February

at the Davenant Centre,
179-181, Whitechapel Rd., London E1 1DN

from 2:30 to 4:00
1 and ½ hours flexi credit plus reasonable traveling time have been agreed. You are also entitled to a lunch break.

PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND.

DWP DISABILITY SEMINAR 2009

DWP DISABILITY SEMINAR 2009
3 APRIL 2009
LEEDS


The decision was taken at Conference 2008 to hold the first ever DWP Group seminar for disabled members. The DWP Group of PCS has arranged this seminar to take place on Friday 3 April 2009 to be held at:

PCS Y&H Regional Office
Ground Floor
34 Lisbon Street
Leeds, LS1 4LX

Start 10.00 Registration
Finish 16.00

All disabled members of PCS who work in any part of the DWP are eligible to attend.

Guest Speakers
Guest Speakers will be Jane Aitchison DWP Group President and Phil Madelin PCS Equality & Health and Safety Department.

Work Shops
Workshops to cover DDA and Reasonable Adjustments and the opportunity to form networks.

Aims
The seminar provides an opportunity for discussion and debate amongst disabled members. Members will be encouraged to

become more involved in PCS and the views of the seminar will help to shape DWP Group Policy

Applications
Applications to take part in the seminar should be made on the attached form and returned by noon on 24 March 2009 to:

Yvonne Washbourne
DWP Group Equality Officer
PCS, Ground Floor
34 Lisbon Street
Leeds, LS1 4LX

At the same time Special leave applications should be applied for under The ER Framework paragraph 3.40 under the sub heading Time Off for Training. Expenses will be met by PCS.

Applications are particularly welcome from disabled members who are black minority ethnic, lesbian, bisexual or transgender as these members are under represented in PCS.
For further information ring: Yvonne Washbourne on 0121 766 4396.

Yvonne Washbourne,
DWP Group Equality Officer




Application Form


DWP GROUP DISABILITY SEMINAR 2009


Date of course 3RD APRIL 2009 Venue LEEDS

You should apply immediately to your line manager for special leave with pay.

Miss/ Mrs/ Ms (please delete as applicable)

Surname: .....................................................Forename: ...............................................................……….

Age: ....................Membership No: ..............................Department: (eg jc+) .............................................….

Address for mailing: .....................................................................................................................……….

.......................................................................................................................................................………..

Daytime telephone no: ............................................. Email: ……………………………………………..

Branch name: ..........................................................

I would like to attend this seminar because: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
......................................................................................…………………………………………………………
..................................................................................................................................................…………….
Are you a representative for PCS Yes 0 No 0

Do you consider yourself to have a disability Yes 0 No 0

Particular requirements (access, childcare etc) ……………………………………………………………………………..........................................................

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Ethnic monitoring
The union is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities. To this end we are conducting a voluntary survey of all participants in our education programme.

Black African  Black Caribbean  Irish  UK/European  Asian 

Chinese  Other  please specify: ..................................................


Signature of applicant: ........................................................ Date: …………………………….

Return to Yvonne Washbourne, Equality Officer, PCS, Ground Floor, 34 Lisbon Street, Leeds LS1 4LX. Tel: 0121 766 4396 or 0113 200 5300 or Fax to 0113 200 5301. By no later than 12 Noon Tuesday 24 March 2009,

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning - 25.02.09

Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning lobby of parliament
5 February 2009

Have you ever attended adult education classes in your local area? If so, you will know what an important part they play in giving people the chance to develop their skills and in reinforcing community links - join the national lobby of parliament on 25 February to protect adult education.

In the last two years over 1.4 milllion adult learning places have been lost as the government has focused public funding towards longer courses and job related skills.

This has led to a massive drop in working people and in pensioners taking evening and day classes.

The PCS campaign to protect public services has highlighted the importance of retaining local, easily accessible services and the impact that removing them has on the community.

This is as true of adult education as it is of benefits and tax offices or coastguard stations, so at the end of last year, the PCS national executive committee agreed to affiliate to the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning (CALL).

CALL was set up by a coalition of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) and a number of trade unions with the aim of persuading the government to restore support for adult education and acknowledge the social and community value of informal learning.

It is now supported by almost 200 organisations.

National events such as this lobby are being supplemented by local networks and activity.

If you would like to take part or get a local group going, check out the Campaigning Alliance for Lifelong Learning web site.

Monday 19 January 2009

Application form - DWP Group Women 's seminar 09 - closing date for applications is noon 29.01.09

Application Form


DWP GROUP WOMEN’S MEMBERS SEMINAR 2009

23 February 2009
London
Date of course Venue

You should apply immediately to your line manager for special leave with pay.

Miss/ Mrs/ Ms (please delete as applicable)

Surname: .....................................................Forename: ...............................................................……….

Age: ....................Membership No: ..............................Group:(eg jc+) .............................................….

Address for mailing: .....................................................................................................................……….

.......................................................................................................................................................………..

Daytime telephone no: ............................................. Email: ……………………………………………..

Branch name: ..........................................................

Have you attended a Women’s seminar before: Yes 0 No 0

I would like to attend this seminar because:
......................................................................................…………………………………………………………
..................................................................................................................................................…………….
Are you a representative for PCS Yes 0 No 0

Special requirements (access, etc) ……………………………………………………………………………...
Conditions about which the organiser should be aware - eg disability (please specify):
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Ethnic monitoring
The union is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities. To this end we are conducting a voluntary survey of all participants in our education programme.

Black African 0 Black Caribbean 0 Irish 0 UK/European 0 Asian 0

Chinese 0 Other 0 please specify: ..................................................


Signature of applicant: ........................................................ Date: …………………………….

Return to Yvonne Washbourne, Equality Officer, PCS, Ground Floor, 34 Lisbon Street, Leeds LS1 4LX. Tel: 0121 766 4396 or 0113 200 5300 or Fax to 0113 200 5301. By no later than 12 Noon Thursday 29 January 2009,

DWP WOMEN'S SEMINAR 2009

DWP WOMEN’S SEMINAR 2009
ORGANISING FOR WOMEN
23 February 2009
London

The DWP Group of PCS has arranged a women’s seminar to take place on Monday 23 February 2009 for women in the London, South East and Eastern regions to be held in London at:

PCS HQ
160 Falcon Road
London
SW11 2LN

All women members based in London, South East or Eastern regions who work in the DWP are eligible to attend.

Special leave applications should be applied under The ER Framework paragraph 3.40 under the sub heading Time Off for Training. Expenses will be met by PCS.

The theme of the seminar is “Organising for Women” and sessions will include:

Organising
Changing policy
Charter for Women
Confidence building



Aims
The seminar provides an opportunity for discussion and debate amongst women members. Members are encouraged to become more involved in PCS and the views of the seminar help to shape DWP Group Policy

Applications
Applications to take part in the seminar should be made on the attached form and returned by noon on 29 January 2009 to:

Yvonne Washbourne
DWP Group Equality Officer
PCS, Ground Floor
34 Lisbon Street
Leeds, LS1 4LX

Applications are welcome from women members who are black minority ethnic, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, disabled or women members from the London, South East or Eastern regions only.

For further information ring: Yvonne Washbourne on 0121 766 4396.

Yvonne Washbourne
DWP Group Equality Officer

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Notification of Branch Annual General Meeting for East London Branch

Happy New Year to you all and welcome back to those of you that were on leave.

Dear Colleagues

I am writing to notify you of the branch Annual General Meeting.

The meeting will take place on:

Thursday 26th February

at the Davenant Centre,
179-181, Whitechapel Rd., London E1 1DN

Guest Speaker – John McDonnell MP - invited

from 2:30 to 4:00
1 and ½ hours flexi credit plus reasonable traveling time have been agreed. You are also entitled to a lunch break.

Nominations are sought for the following positions:

Branch
· Branch secretary
· Branch chair
· Branch assistant secretary
· Branch vice chair
· Branch Organiser
· Branch treasurer
· Branch equalities officer
· Branch health and safety officer
· Branch young members officer (must be aged 27 or below)
· Branch Union Learning Rep
· Branch auditors (these must not be Branch Executive Committee members) (2)
· Delegate to the London Regional Committee
· Delegates to Conference (4)
· Trainee delegate

DWP Group
· President
· Vice Presidents (5)
· Assistant Secretaries (7)
· Treasurer
· Organiser
· Group Journal Editor
· Group Executive Committee (21)
· Standing Orders Committee (1)
· Scrutineers (4)
· Womens committee (14)
· Black members committee (7)
· Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender committee (10)
· Equality committee (14)
· Editorial committee (3)
· Young members committee (14)

National
· President
· Deputy and Vice Presidents (4)
· National Executive Committee members (30)
· National Appeals committee (9)
· National standing orders committee (4)
· Editorial Board (5)
· Trades Union Congress (TUC) delegation (14, target 8 women)
· Women’s TUC delegation (8, all must be women)
· Youth TUC delegation (3, target 2 women)
· Scottish TUC (STUC) delegation (9, target 4 women)
· Women’s STUC delegation (5, all must be women)
· Youth STUC delegation (3, target 1 woman)
· Welsh TUC delegation (6, target 2 women)
· Women’s Welsh TUC delegation (2 both must be women)

. Deputy General Secretay
. Assistant General Secretary

Motions for the branch, DWP Group Conference and National Conference are invited. If you have an issue you think the Union should be doing something about, anything from strike pay to social housing, please submit a motion. If you want help with drafting a motion speak to your local rep. Any motions and/or nominations must be received by Charlie McDonald, Hackney BDC by 10:00 Friday 13th February. E-mails are acceptable.

If you would like to attend the meeting please speak to your line manager immediately, or you could use the tear-off below.

Yours fraternally



Charlie McDonald
Branch secretary
020 8533 8718


To: ………………………………………………………………………..………………………(Line manager)

From: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I would like to attend the PCS DWP East London branch annual general meeting which will be held on the afternoon of Thursday 26 February at 2:30 at the Davenant centre, Whitechapel Rd. I understand that one and a half hours flexi credit plus reasonable traveling time is available. Please confirm in writing that this is authorised.