PCS: Campaigning cyclist is half way to key union conference

PCS: Campaigning cyclist is half way to key union conference

PCS: Campaigning cyclist is half way to key union conference

A Public and Commercial Services union rep cycling 840 miles from Scotland to the union’s annual conference in Brighton passes the half-way mark today (10 May).

Mark Chapman’s eight-day ride started in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, last Friday (6) and he is due to arrive in Brighton on Saturday (14). He passes the half-way point in Skipton, North Yorkshire, today as he travels between Darlington and Chesterfield, before taking a well-earned rest day on Wednesday.

The PCS rep in HM Revenue and Customs, is raising money for the union’s 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. Mark has designed his route to take him via HMRC offices that are under threat of closure or have closed to highlight the union’s campaign for the alternative to spending cuts. His remaining itinerary, subject to conditions, is:

Today
7am: Leave Darlington
11am: Skipton tax office
1.30pm: Halifax tax office
8pm: Chesterfield tax office

Wednesday 11 May
Rest day in Chesterfield

Thursday 12 May
8am: Leave Chesterfield
9am: Alfreton tax office
10.30am: East Midlands airport
4pm: Shipston on Stour

Friday 13 May
9am: Leave Shipston on Stour
2pm: Newbury tax office
3.30pm: Andover tax office
4.15pm: RAF Middle Wallop
5.15pm: Salisbury tax office

Saturday 14 May
9am: Leave Salisbury
5pm: Arrive Brighton pier

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: “The government’s cuts will hit our communities very hard, so I’m campaigning for the alternative along the way.

“This ride is a major challenge for me, but I’m really enjoying it, and am looking forward to joining my union colleagues in Brighton.”

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: “Mark is well on course for a major achievement and on behalf of the union I salute him for what he’s doing, both for charity and our campaign for the alternative to the cuts. “Our conference will be one of the most important we have had for many years and I look forward to welcoming Mark and our other delegates.”

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 sufferers’ 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

– Photographs of Mark Chapman are available on request. For information and interviews 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