ARMs National

 

Goodbye Mr Capps!

 

Greg Dowling PCS Rep, Assistant Branch Secretary: DWP Avon Branch interviewed Richard Capps on his retirement. Richard had been a rep for most of his 30 years in DWP. Here is what they had to say.

Congratulations on your retirement Richard. You have been in “public service” for a large part of your career, both as a civil servant and as an active Trade Unionist. How does it feel to have reached this point? Are you happy with the differences you have made to peoples’ lives?

It's been a pretty odd time, all in all, what with going from working in the office, to self-isolating and working from home, to being officially retired from DWP. lt’s been pretty disconcerting, but I still count myself lucky compared to all my former colleagues who've had to cope with the tsunami of claims. l’m still waiting to fit in those farewell drinks though! 

I'd like to think that my trade union activities have made a difference, otherwise it would have been pretty pointless! Seriously though I know of members whose jobs l’ve saved and whose lives I've been able to change in a positive way, and there's few better experiences at work than that. I'd like to think that l’ve managed to do this in good humour when possible. Not everything l’ve been involved in has been a success, and I’m sure there's been disappointed members along the way, for which I am sorry, but I'd like to think l’ve tried my best. 

Are you optimistic about the future of trade Unionism? Do you think the portrayal of the movement is often a negative one, which in turn can, sometimes hinder recruitment?

It's pretty clear that the future generally is not going to be easy for the unions, for the workforce or for the country in general. We don’t always have the best image, for which we must take some blame. However we have suffered from an overwhelmingly negative attitude from the press for at least the last forty years, and this is bound to have an effect. There’s also been this idea that unions aren’t needed any more but the current pandemic has shown that unions are needed more than ever. The worst paid workers have been rebadged as Key Workers, and have received rounds of applause. At the end of it, though, neither the applause and the congratulations of politicians will pay the bills, and if any of us want to avoid being the fall guys for the pandemic it's only the unions that will do this. There's an opportunity there for unions and an opportunity for working people in general. It's often forgotten that a union is only ever the sum of its parts and all of us, as members, have a say in how they are run. As the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it, and you have to be in it to change it as well.

I am sure you have met a number of inspirational people on your travels. Is there one that stands out in particular?

l’ve met a few, some of whom might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Through my involvement with the Tolpuddle Festival, l’ve had the opportunity to chat with Jeremy Corbyn a few times and I can say the person I've spoken to bears no relation to the caricature seen in the media. Mark Serwotka would be another, someone who has risen from being an AO in a benefits office to heading up one of the biggest unions in the country. But these are “easy hits", as it were. For me the greatest inspiration comes from people who don’t make a big noise, but get on with their lives, and are there when they are needed, sometimes showing tremendous character. I can think of one member in one office I have worked in who, way back, was practically the only person in the office who would be out on strike when the union voted for it, and even though the local union rep was going in. For me that member is a real unsung hero and a true inspiration.

I have heard that you intend to join PCS ARMs (the PCS organisation for Associate and Retired Members), so you will remain active. How important do you think it is to remain active? 

It always amazes me when I hear people wondering how they’ll fill up their time when they retire. There’s always loads to get on with. I’m lucky to live in a marvellous part of the country, so I’lI be out walking with the dog every day. I've also got more than enough to keep me busy what with ARMs, the Trades Council and Tutoring and, when I’m not busy, there’s all those books that l’ve been meaning  to read that are sitting there!

What about leisure time/hobbies? Are you planning to do more fun activities (and catch Crystal Palace games too)?

Football is a bit of a sore subject at the moment, but when you support Crystal Palace (just like with being a Union rep) you have to take the long view and keep optimistic. I’m hoping to get up to see them play more often than I have done recently. As for other leisure, the walking and reading I've mentioned helps to keep me fit and the brain working. Also my garden is looking better than it's done for years. To be honest that wasn't a hard bar to jump! Social media has resulted in a much wider and pluralistic canvass for organisations like Trade Unions to speak directly to members and, potential members.

Do you think we utilise this platform enough? Do you worry about possible censorship of these sites?

Particularly during lockdown Social Media can be a godsend to help us keep in touch and, going forward, I think we’ll be more reliant on it than we have been in the past. It's quick and instant but comes with pitfalls. Most reps will have had more than their fair share of cases around social media and Electronic Media Policy abuse, and you just can’t be too careful. Having said that, and possibly because of that, it's essential for unions to build their own communication networks independent of the employer. We also need to make them more fun! I still think, though, that a bit of old school handing out of paper circulars helps to give the union that human face.

I know you are hoping to spend more time working with your wife and her business. Do you need a rep to negotiate terms and conditions or would you say she represents a model employer?

l’d have to say she is a model employer! Actually, I don’t have to say it but I will. She tends to pay me in rum, so I'm not complaining!

Richard, Thank you for your service and invaluable advice that you have shared with all of us in Avon branch, you are a role model for many of us. We wish you well. Do you have a message for membership ?

Thank you for those kind words Greg. l’ll certainly miss you and the others, and the comradeship and mutual support. As for a parting message, I'm reminded of one of the first I witnessed some 30 years ago when the newly released staff member turned and as a parting shot bellowed “Don’t let the b****** grind you down!" For me, l’d just ask you all to support each other as that’s the only way we'll get progress. And what better way to look out for your own and each other‘s interests than in a union?

Some of Richard’s answers are being used as a PCS blog item to encourage members to transfer to ARMs when they leave. Cheers Richard. All the best for the future.