PCS union members in the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) have recently announced the launch of a campaign to fight for a four-day week.
This would mean working 80% of the time for 100% of the pay for all of the 21,000 workers employed by the Defra Group. Such an inspiring vision has meant this campaign has quickly picked up momentum.
“The four-day-week campaign has resulted in one of our biggest ever member meetings, and a petition of 1,300 signatures in just two weeks,” Daniel, a PCS rep who initiated the campaign, told Socialist Appeal.
“The campaign has shown that the working people are ready to challenge their employers on the fundamentals of the way we work,” noted Daniel. “The campaign goes far beyond the technicalities, it looks to take back the time our employer takes from us.”
Fight back
Civil servants have faced some of the harshest pay offers of all public sector workers. We have seen a fall in real wages and an erosion of terms and conditions.
While workers began to fight back earlier this year through the pay campaign, they have been left wanting. This grassroots campaign for a four-day week, however, is now capturing the imagination of thousands.
“A four-day week with no loss of pay would have considerable benefits for workers in Defra who have faced years of real-terms pay cuts.” One PCS rep, Leah, told Socialist Appeal.
“It would particularly benefit women, who are more likely to work reduced hours and take on caring responsibilities.”
Campaign launch
As part of the campaign, we recently organised a meeting in a Defra office in Carmarthen, South-West Wales. The meeting was a first for PCS in that office, and it was well attended.
I introduced the topic, explaining how similar reforms were fought for in the past, for instance in the Red Clydeside movement in Glasgow. The inspiring history of the working class contains a wealth of lessons for activists today, and can help us pave the way for future victories.
Following this there was lively discussion. One attendee was concerned given we are already understaffed, and alongside the recruitment freeze, a four-day week may increase workload pressures. Another member talked about outdated IT systems and time-wasting processes.
In reality, the money is there to unfreeze recruitment, upgrade the IT systems and efficiently plan the workloads. But this money is hoarded at the top as the Tories continue to squeeze public services for all they’re worth.
In response, we need to demand that the money’s put where it’s really needed. If they claim there’s no money, we must unequivocally say: that’s a lie!
We see how much money this government wastes on consultants, inefficient processes and funnelling taxpayer money to the rich. It’s time to let the workers decide where the money is really needed.
Audacity
Overall, the enthusiasm at the meeting was great. One PCS member in Carmarthen told Socialist Appeal afterwards:“With four-day weeks, life would get easier overall. Right now I barely have time to eat properly or exercise… four-day week would give me more time to do what I like, improve my mental health and boost my overall confidence.”
The campaign is also showing the impact bold demands can have on recruitment – all non-members present at the meeting agreed to join the union!
PCS members are stepping up. Plans have been made for next steps in the campaign, locally and nationally. Meetings in other offices have been called in January. PCS members at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have started a similar campaign, and this is just the beginning.
Struggle
Us communists will fight tooth and nail for reforms such as a four-day week, which can make a real difference to the lives of workers and, if won, encourage other workers to also fight for their interests.
However, we will also always state clearly that such reforms will not be achieved without bold tactics, and ultimately, will not be made permanent without carrying the fight to the end. The bosses will always try to claw back whatever we win.
This grassroots campaign shows the real mood amongst the rank and file – a mood that chimes increasingly with the programme of socialism.
It is now up to us to organise, link this campaign with broader issues faced by the working class, and begin the fightback against a ruling class that has stolen so much money – and time – from us.
If you want to pass a message of solidarity to the campaign from your union or want to talk about the campaign, please get in touch with sean@socialist.net
