Unison elections: Socialists stand for a fighting and democratic trade union

AS COUNCILS announce savage cuts and council workers are given 90-day notices to prepare for the sack, trade unionists will be looking to their leaders to mount a determined battle to save all jobs and services.

Unison, which represents over 1.3 million workers, needs determined fighting leaders. The ballot to determine who should fill vacant seats on the union's national executive committee has started. Two members of the Socialist Party are standing.

Hugo Pierre is standing for the local government male seat. This seat is vacant because the previous incumbent, Glenn Kelly, has been banned from holding any positions in Unison following the witch-hunt of himself and three other Socialist Party members.

Many activists understand that Glenn and others have been attacked because they have opposed the strategy and tactics of the Unison leadership and argued for a fighting democratic union. The campaign to 'defend the four' has received huge support and is widely recognised by trade unionists in many other unions.

Glenn says: "I have known and campaigned alongside Hugo for many years. I am confident that he would be a fighting NEC member."

Hugo is the school members' convenor in Camden Unison and has organised successful industrial action against poverty pay amongst nursery nurses and teaching assistants. He has recently prevented the council from closing a school for deaf children. He has been involved with anti-racist campaigns locally and nationally.

John Malcolm is standing for the Northern region male seat. John is branch secretary for the Tees and Wear Valleys Healthcare branch.

Socialist Party supporters are also backing Kit Leary who is standing for the young members' seat.

The ballot started on 27 September and ends on 22 October.

UNISON NEC Byelections: Vote John Malcolm for the Northern Region Male Seat

JOHN MALCOLM FOR NEC Byelection Northern Region Male Seat

I am the branch secretary for the Tees Esk & Wear Valleys Health Care Branch, and have been a steward for almost 25 years. I am also deputy chair of the Staff side Organisation in a Mental Health Trust of over 5000 staff. I have been involved in successful campaigns defending members and services in the NHS Trust where I am employed against privatisation and defending staff terms and conditions. I have also been involved in anti-racism campaigns locally and on a regional basis.

CON DEM ATTACKS

In a region where 34% of jobs are in the public sector following the destruction of the mining, shipbuilding and steel industries, the Tory/Liberal budget and autumn spending review threatens to destroy at least 50,000 public sector jobs and devastate services over the next three years. A return to the 15% plus unemployment levels of the 80s and 90s is likely in the Northern region. Proposed cuts of 40% across public services, housing benefit , plans to build new schools and hospitals to be scrapped, cuts in disability benefits, the list goes on.

UNISON AND THE LABOUR PARTY

At the root of many of our problems is Unison’s close relationship with the Labour party. Already we see the spectacle of Labour led council’s prepared to carry out the cuts. The previous Labour government paved the way for the cuts we are facing today and were responsible for the opening up of the market within the public sector. Our union has given them millions of our members’ money over the last ten years. As a socialist I would argue that not another penny should go to New Labour.

A FIGHTING CAMPAIGNING UNION

We are entering a decisive period for our union were everything we stand for will be under attack, as we experience the most serious economic crisis since the 30s. It is vital that Unison is at the forefront in defending public services and our members pay and conditions. Activists also need to be free to campaign within the rules without fear of attacks by UNISON officials.

• I welcome the recent initiative in the Northern Region to set up the Public Service Alliance with Unions like the PCS and others in order to develop local anti cuts committees with unions and local community campaigns.
• I also support the call for the TUC to organise, as soon as possible, a mass national demonstration against the attacks of the Con-Dem government as an urgent first step. The call by the European TUC for a European-wide day of action on 29 September should also be supported.
• Properly built for, such a demonstration would express the opposition of hundreds of thousands of people to the attacks we face. It could also build confidence in struggle and prepare the way for a 24-hour public sector strike in the public sector.
• We need a leadership that is accountable to its membership, and fully committed to utilising our huge potential strength to defend our members and to safeguard jobs and services.

John Malcolm
Unison
Tees Esk & Wear Valleys Health