PCS: Pedal power to propel union rep to key conference
Most delegates to the Public and Commercial Services union’s annual conference in Brighton will take the train or bus, but one rep is cycling there – all the way from Scotland. Setting off tomorrow (Fri 6) at 8am from the tax office in Peterhead, Mark Chapman’s route will take him on an 840-mile bike ride to the south coast of England over eight days.
Mark, who is a union rep in HM Revenue and Customs, will be raising money for the PCS hardship fund; the MS Society; and the Val Irvine Foundation, a charity being set up on the wishes of a close friend who died of cancer aged 44. He will also be stopping off at HMRC offices and sites en route that are under threat of closure or have closed, and talking about the union’s campaign for the alternative to spending cuts.
Mark, who will be among the conference delegates asked to endorse a ballot for a national strike over cuts to jobs, pensions and pay, said: “As a rep I witness firsthand how the government’s cuts are affecting people and communities, so as well as cycling I’ll be campaigning for the alternative along the way.
“I am far from a seasoned cyclist and the ride will be a major challenge for me, but I’ve been training hard and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Mark’s journey comes after another PCS rep in HMRC, Richard Evans, walked 166 miles from Cardiff to London to join the half a million-strong March for the Alternative on 26 March.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “This is a tremendous undertaking and I salute Mark for what he’s doing, not just for charity but for our campaign for the alternative to the cuts. “On behalf of the union, I wish him all the very best for his trip and I look forward to welcoming him to Brighton for our conference.”
ENDS
Background – attributable:
Mark Chapman has set himself a target of raising £30,000 to be split three ways between:
PCS Hardship Fund: The fund was established to help members who found themselves in financial difficulty as a result of taking industrial action. Mark said: “As a PCS rep in Aberdeen, I know the fantastic work our members do and the vital services they provide, and I want to be able to help them if they find themselves in hardship through standing up to protect those services.”
MS Society: Mark’s mum was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis about 20 years ago and she and the family have been supported by the MS Society. Mark said: “MS affects people to varying degrees but without the help, support and love of family, friends and carers, it can take control of a sufferer’s lives. I want to help the MS Society as they’re there to help people like my parents.”
Val Irvine Foundation: Val was a close family friend who died of cancer in 2010 aged 44. She discovered the benefits of holistic therapy during her illness and was a talented artist and photographer. It was Val’s wish that a foundation be set up offering holistic and art therapy to cancer sufferers, their families, and carers. Mark said: “The Val Irvine Foundation is still in its infancy, but I want to give it any help that I can.”
The PCS annual conference will be at the Brighton Centre, Kings Road, from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 May. The key times are:
Wednesday 18 May, from 9.40am, opening keynote speech by PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, immediately followed by debate on a motion calling for a national strike ballot over cuts to jobs, pensions and pay.
Friday 20 May, 10.45am, guest speaker Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite. Media credentials are required for access to the conference centre, available from PCS national press officer Richard Simcox: richard@pcs.org.uk, 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216.
Notes
– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216
– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies, and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich – on Twitter @janicegodrich
– Follow PCS on Twitter @pcs_union
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