Building a fighting Unison leadership

Elections for the branch leadership of Manchester local government Unison have started. One of the left candidates is Socialist Party member Jim Cessford, who told The Socialist: "Last year the branch leadership said permanent pay protection under 'single status' is impossible. They attacked me for opposing pay cuts. Yet several local government branches, through action, have won deals which mean no pay cuts.

"The branch and national leaderships are firm supporters of Unison maintaining its link with New Labour. We say it's time to break the link, no more money for New Labour, put Unison members first!

"During Unison's national pay campaign last year, the Manchester Advice shop stewards group proposed public-sector unity at local, regional and national levels to beat Gordon Brown's pay freeze. What happened in the end? Thanks to this pro-Labour leadership, we lost two days' pay for little or nothing.

"This year, members can change the branch leadership."

Standing with Jim are: John Clegg, early years shop steward and David Kemp and Neil McAlister, both adult social care shop stewards.

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In The Socialist 28 January 2009:

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