The 2007 annual delegate conference of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) opens today (16 May) in Brighton. Over 1,200 delegates will be attending the conference of Britains largest civil service trade union, which runs until Friday 18 May against a backdrop of an ongoing dispute over civil and public service job cuts, privatisation and below inflation pay.

The dispute with the government and civil service management has already seen two successful one day civil service wide strikes this year and the first day of the conference, today, will see delegates debating the next steps of the campaign. Options up for discussion include further industrial action, stepping up political campaigning as well as working closely with other public sector unions.

Commenting ahead of his speech this morning, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary said: This years conference takes place against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute over deteriorating services due to job cuts, continuing privatisation and low pay, which is being driven down by below inflation pay offers. Delegates from across the UK will be discussing the next phase of the dispute and sending a clear message to the government to stop ripping the heart out of public services.

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