I recently interviewed a number of PCS activists and senior representatives as part of my MA research.  One of the interesting things about the set of interviews was the difference between discussing trade union issues with the two sets of people.  Interviews with senior reps all took place in PCS HQ in Clapham, often in the offices the reps used on a daily basis.  Interviewing rank and file activists meant travelling to a wide variety of places and interviewing people where it was possible.  There was something raw and real about these interviews that placed the discussion about trade union activism firmly within the confines of community, social and family life.

John Pearson met me at Stockport station and we drove off to his house.  When we arrived his wife had collected some fish and chips and we chatted over lunch before the serious interviewing began.  Whilst I was there…