HO/BB/67/13

The collection of personal contact (CMI – count me in) information for all of our members is a national strategic objective established by conference. Our aim is to raise the current 25% of all members’ personal contact details held to somewhere closer to 75%

 

All PCS staff will be assigned specific branches in which collection of data activity events will take place between 2nd to 13th December. This may have a impact on HQ dealing with specific enquires

 

All members who have their personal email and mobile numbers recorded will be entered into a free prize draw to win an i-pad which has been supplied by one of our partners.

 

Having accurate and reliable contact information for all of our members is integral to our ability to be able to get information out and mobilise members when we need to, and adds to our ability as a union to be able to recruit new members and identify new activists.

December activity

A number of things will be happening throughout December to prioritise this work:

• PCS staff are being assigned a specific branch to assist with the work of collecting information from members from 2nd to 13th December.

•We are asking your branch to update i-membership with contact information which you hold for members in your branch.

 

• As a separate exercise we will also be contacting the 10,000 or so activists that we have registered on Commix to ensure that we have accurate contact information for this key group of PCS members;

All members who register their personal contact information by 31 December 2013, join the union and register their personal information on the joining form or on Commix or who already have their personal contact information registered on Commix, will automatically be entered for a prize draw;

 

We are asking branches to publicise and promote this throughout your work areas and offices.

 

Using personal contact information

When talking to members it is worth reinforcing a few points, members personal contact details:

• ·         will only be used to give members information from PCS
• ·         will not be passed on to third parties unconnected with PCS

 

Members will periodically be sent information to personal email addresses which cannot be sent by other methods, such as to work email addresses or where an employer has withdrawn or has threatened to withdraw work email facilities;

There may be occasions when PCS needs to send a brief text message to all members or to groups of members. This will only be on occasions when PCS needs to get information out to members quickly and in ways which are free from interference by the employer;

Members who decide that they do not want to receive emails to their personal email addresses or to their mobile phones can unsubscribe at any point;

We can send out bulk emails to members’ personal and/or work email addresses or text messages from our print and distribution unit directly to members in your branch. We will need specific branch and workplace code information from you if you wish to use this service.

Summary and action

• HQ resources will be limited due to all staff collecting data in workplaces and branches, if you have any enquiries please put them it in writing to id1homesector@pcs.org.uk  and they will be replied to as soon as possible.

Ways members can record their details:

 

1. Branch reps talk to members as they work and collect the information directly, using the assistance of PCS staff where this is made available, and use the opportunity to talk to non-members about joining the union;

 

1. Circulate the form attached to this branch briefing, either in hard copy or electronically, and ask members to return the hard copy form to you or direct to the PCS Membership Department;

 

1. Ask members to log on to the PCS website at www.pcs.org.uk/getthemessage and register personal contact information;

 

1. Ask members to phone 0800 317 464 (or 0207 801 2670 if using a mobile) and speak to a member of PCS staff who will record details directly on to the Commix database;

 

• Non members can join the union (by phone calling 0800 317 464, online at www.pcs.org.uk/join or by filling in a membership form and returning it) and ensure they include their personal contact information;

• Use branch records to update Commix records and make sure they match.

• We are offering a prize as an incentive to members to give us the information by 31 December 2013.