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

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.