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Unison local government ballot result ignored
Unison's national joint committee voted by 24-3 on 29 October, not to go for industrial action over local government pay. This was despite there being a narrow majority (51.6%:48.4%) in the recent ballot for action.
Socialist Party member Glenn Kelly said: "This is the first time I can remember when the union got a 'yes' vote for action and didn't use it." Glenn made the point that the least they could do was go back to the employers with the vote for action and argue for more money, ie at least use the vote for action as a lever.
The postal strike meant that many members didn't get their ballot paper. But there was still a 'yes' vote. Everybody is entitled to be cautious about calling action but the union leadership should make the most of the vote.
Glenn has also argued that Unison should have held the ballot after the national local government conference in June.
Bill Mullins
In this issue
Targets take their toll on cleaners
Feature: NHS - Time to fight for a national strike
Editorial: NHS campaigning - national strategy needed
Environment and socialism
System change to stop climate change
Workplace news and analysis
CWU executive member calls for a 'no' vote
Unison local government ballot result ignored
Socialism 2007
Socialist Party news and analysis
Countering the race to the bottom
Respect in crisis - what lessons for socialists?
Asylum
International socialist news and analysis
Nigeria: Day of action protest march in Osogbo
Switzerland: Racism dominates election campaign
Poland: Right-wing populist government defeated
National Shop Stewards Network
Wales shop stewards' network conference
London and South East regional conference
Workplace news and analysis
Bolton care workers' dispute: Workers' determination yields first signs of success
Vote Martin Powell-Davies for NUT vice president
Journalists: Fight low pay and long hours
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