Socialist Party members in Usdaw
Paddy Lillis has been re-elected unopposed as shop and distribution workers’ union Usdaw general secretary. In the nomination process, Socialist Party member Scott Jones received eight nominations, short of the required amount.
Scott stood to try to force an election for general secretary for the first time since 2008, and therefore a debate about the direction of the union.
Scott stood on a platform of fighting for better pay, for better deals to beat the cost-of-living crisis, and to win new members to the union. This is vital given that we have 50,000 fewer members than Usdaw had five years ago.
His programme also included joining the growing trade union fightback; more union democracy – only half of branches nominated either candidate at all; and a workers’ general secretary on a workers’ wage.
If we are to harness the potential power we have as a union of over 350,000 members, then we must seek to involve as many of our members as possible in our activities, whether as a rep, in their local branch, or beyond.
It is a shame that during this current strike wave, the only dispute Usdaw is involved in is with its own staff!
Under Usdaw’s previous rules, Scott would be on the ballot paper and able to put this fighting programme before the membership. But the required number of nominations was upped to 25 after left candidate and Socialist Party member Robbie Segal ran for general secretary in 2008, and won 40% of the vote.
Strikes in recent years, and the campaign in Tesco distribution, where last year’s threatened strike action saw Tesco bosses concede higher pay, show that shop and distribution workers are prepared to fight back.
As well as winning the support of branches which either nominated him or tried to, Scott’s campaign also won support from a number of activists and members in the union. The task is now to build on this and continue the fight in future elections, such as the upcoming executive council election.
- Join us in that fightback by joining the Usdaw Broad Left (https://tinyurl.com/usdawbroadleft) and the Socialist Party.
