We meet in Brighton just after the 6 May general election, but we know that whoever is leading the government will be targeting public services and our members’ jobs, pay and pensions.

We have already taken three days of strike action in March 2010 in defence of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme – and that dispute is not over.  the strikes have been well supported and demonstrated that members are not prepared to accept their terms and conditions being torn up.

Public services are under greater threat than ever before, but they did not cause the economic crisis and the recession.  We face some real battles alongside many of our sister unions, and the debates at conference will reflect these important struggles ahead.*

• The sun decided to come out eventually on our last morning. about 21 hours ago via txt

• Janice Godrich is currently closing PCS conference 2010. 12:24 PM May 21st via txt

• Caroline Lucas MP (first green MP) addresses the conference. 10:26 AM May 21st via txt

• Final conference session well underway. Discussing pay, environmental and social & economic issues. 10:15 AM May 21st via txt

• This motion was fiercely debated by the delegates. Some obviously more informed than others. 4:28 PM May 20th via txt

• delegates voted for a PCS information campaign for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. 4:26 PM May 20th via txt

• Standing orders were suspended to announce that unite won in the court of appeal in relation to the BA ballot. 12:25 PM May 20th via txt

• The sacked Jane Brook seconded the motion & spoke on the surveillance of her family prior to her dismissal. 12:18 PM May 20th via txt

• The motion to support members who are victimised for making personal injury claims was passed unanimously. 12:14 PM May 20th via txt

• After the card count the motion was passed. 12:08 PM May 20th via txt

• The motion instructing the NEC to stand trade union candidates in elections was hotly debated & went to card vote. 12:06 PM May 20th via txt

• Chris Baugh presented the PCS organising strategy & spoke on the re-launch of the Imembership system. 12:01 PM May 20th via txt

• He also spoke on the upcoming leadership contest. 4:26 PM May 19th via txt

• John McDonall addressed the conference and spoke of the need to re-establish democracy within the labour party. 4:25 PM May 19th via txt

• This was passed by the delegates. 4:21 PM May 19th via txt

• The headline motion called for co-ordinated public sector campaigning in light of the current threats to jobs & services. 4:20 PM May 19th via txt

• She outlined our current situation and our need to be organised for the coming storm. 4:14 PM May 19th via txt

• Janice Godrich opened the conference & apologised for Mark Serwatka being unable to attend. 4:12 PM May 19th via txt

• This afternoon i visited the Royal Pavillion gardens. 4:29 PM May 18th via txt

• National conference starts tomorrow morning. 4:27 PM May 18th via txt

• No debate on the motions so it sailed along without hitches. 4:26 PM May 18th via txt

• Group conference finished at lunch time. 4:24 PM May 18th via txt

• Everyone in the hall was encouraged to join in and debate issues surrounding the recent action. 6:44 PM May 17th via txt

• The afternoon session was a debate about organising around an industrial dispute. 6:42 PM May 17th via txt

• Most motions were carried without debate, although a few were debated extensively. 6:40 PM May 17th via txt

• The first day of group conference is now over. 6:37 PM May 17th via txt

• Group conference is underway. 10:33 AM May 17th via txt

• Registering at the hotel was a bit faulty towers again. 10:32 AM May 17th via txt

• The train is now going backwards!!! 2:22 PM May 16th via txt

• talking politics & life with a man from Siberia. 2:01 PM May 16th via txt

• Now on the train to london. 9:42 AM May 16th via txt

• All present & correct & on the first leg of the journey. 9:08 AM May 16th via txt

I have scheduled some other posts to keep you entertained whilst I am away. If I haven’t messed it up and the server holds out, they will be appearing below this post each day.

Update 22 May 2010:  I am back from the conference now so I have converted the tweets into this permanent post.

*From the conference guide 2010.

As we meet, we are in the midst of the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. Unemployment is soaring as employers cut jobs to maintain profits, and people are losing their homes. It is crucial that we take the right decisions to protect our members and their families from the impact of a recession they are not responsible for.

Additionally, and importantly, we must continue to defend quality public services for all during these times, perhaps more so than ever. And the issues we discuss over the next few days will reflect this.

• Said goodbye to friends old and new – now waiting for the train homeabout 23 hours ago from txt
• Conference over ran due 2 a card vote in the last 30 minutesabout 23 hours ago from txt
• Discussing social & economic motions, final section before guillotined motions are re-scheduled2:20 AM May 22nd from txt
• Currently debating personnel policy motions1:39 AM May 22nd from txt
• Communications awards – best published photo received by H O’Harney on behalf of Shropshire Action Group4:22 AM May 21st from txt
• The motion was tabled before the MP allowance scandal broke!4:04 AM May 21st from txt
• A heated debate about hotel expensed when on TU business.4:01 AM May 21st from txt
• One of the speakers from palestine was very moving.1:28 AM May 21st from txt
• The debate on Palestinian solidarity was very emotive.1:26 AM May 21st from txt
• Members are especialy angry about pay offers in light of the recent MP expenses exposure!8:10 AM May 20th from txt
• A very heated debate on how to take the pay campaign forward.8:07 AM May 20th from txt
• so far Listened to motions on the recession & protecting public services.5:57 AM May 20th from txt
• Main PCS conference starts in 10 minutes.12:52 AM May 20th from txt
• Speakers include John McDonnell MP, Jeremy NUJ gen sec & H O’Harney – Shropshire Action Group8:58 AM May 19th from txt
• Now off to the launch of campaign to re-elect Mark Serwotka8:52 AM May 19th from txt
• Anti cuts campaign launched & explained!8:48 AM May 19th from txt
• Had speakers from the young member network & MYVC campaign.8:47 AM May 19th from txt
• Many to get all motions debated including the emergency ones.8:45 AM May 19th from txt
• Group conference has now closed!5:38 AM May 19th from txt
• Some very interesting debates today.10:00 AM May 18th from txt
• Conference agenda being reshuffled due 2 lots of debating!5:54 AM May 18th from txt
• Busy SOC meeting – 1 reference back + 15 emergency motions!5:53 AM May 18th from txt
• Fun evening with live music in the fiddlers – now time 4 some sleep 3:52 PM May 17th from txt
• Booking in at the hotel reminded me of faulty towers!12:16 PM May 17th from txt
• All present & correct & now on the way to Brighton2:13 AM May 17th from txt
• All packed and ready to go! 12:35 AM May 17th from TweetDeck

Update 23 May 2009:  I am back from the conference now so I have converted the tweets into this permanent post.