Unison: a fighting and democratic union needed
Important elections are taking place for the national executive of Unison, elections that could have a decisive effect on the future of the public sector union.
The existing leadership is trying to strengthen its grip on the union through witch-hunts and other bureaucratic means. But the Reclaim the Union campaign, initiated by the Socialist Party, is putting forward a list of left candidates for the national executive. The ballot is now underway and runs until 15 May.
Unison members need a fight for a decent pay increase that reflects the real cost of living and a campaign to stop the cuts and privatisation in the health service and local government.
The Reclaim the Union campaign is standing candidates who have a record of listening to and fighting for their fellow workers, including on pay, pensions, terms and conditions. This includes Glenn Kelly, one of the four Socialist Party members now being witch-hunted by the union's leadership.
The current leadership's record also includes refusal to consult on whether the union's funding of New Labour should continue. Instead, Unison is seen more and more as a union that follows the dictates of New Labour, doing little to challenge the government's anti-working class policies.
The Socialist Party members standing are:
National black member seats: female seat, April Ashley; male seat, Hugo Pierre
Health care service group: male seat, Roger Davey
Local government service group: male seat, Glenn Kelly
East Midlands region: female seat, Jean Thorpe
Northern region: female seat, Hannah Walter
North West region: male seat, Roger Bannister
Yorkshire and Humberside region: female seat, Vicky Perrin
Listed below are Unison NEC candidates standing for a fighting, democratic union.
National Black members seats
Female seats April Ashley Lorraine Mngadi
Male seat Hugo Pierre
National young members seat
Chris Leary
Health Care service group
Female seats Kate Ahrens Karen Reissmann ;
Male seat Roger Davey
General seat Stephen lintott
Local Government service group
Female seats Phoebe Watkins Marshajane Thompson
Male seat Glen Kelly
General seat Paul Holmes
Higher Education Service Group
Barry Blinko
Police staff service group
Female seat Rachel Hemingway
Water & Environment service group
General seat John Jones
Eastern region
Male seat Martin Booth
East Midlands region
Female seat Jean Thorpe ; Sharon Vasselin
Male seat Richard Buckwell
Reserved seat Ann Macmillan-Wood
Greater London region
Female seats Mandy Berger ; Sonya Howard;
Male seat Jon Rogers
Northern region
Female seat Hannah Walter
Male seat Alan Docherty ;
North West region
General seat Alex Mcfadden
Female seats Bernadette Gallagher Fran Kelly
Male seat Roger Bannister ;
Scotland
Male seat Gordon McKay
South East region
Female seats Diana Leach ; Jessie Russel
Male seat Mike Tucker
South West region
Male seat Nigel Behan
Reserved Seat Kath Budd
West Midlands region
Female seats Sue Gallagher
Male seat Clive Shakespeare
Reserved seat Claudia Campbell
Yorkshire & Humberside region
General Seat Brian Steele
Female seats Helen Jenner Vicky Perrin
Male seat John McDermott
For more details about the witch-hunt see www.stopthewhitchhunt.org.uk
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In The Socialist 22 April 2009:
Environment and socialism
New Labour's environmental ploy: How green are electric cars?
Visteon
Visteon workers stand up to bosses
Taking the Visteon struggle forward
Basildon workers picket Ford showrooms
Solidarity with the Visteon Workers
Enfield workers say: "Do a Visteon!"
Disbelief at Visteon bosses' offer
Socialist Party election campaign
European elections: a workers' alternative to New Labour takes shape
Socialist Party youth and students
Socialist Party campaigns
G20 Summit death: Independent inquiry into police violence, now!
International socialist news and analysis
Tamil action to stop the war continues
Ireland: Budget savages workers
Marxist analysis: history
Betrayals that led to Thatcher's victory
Socialist Party workplace news
Stead McAlpin: Protesting in London
Unison: a fighting and democratic union needed
Postal workers' solidarity action
Wales FE funding: Victory, but keep the champagne on ice
National Shop Stewards Network conference
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