Kevin Parslow, Unite Waltham Forest Council branch
All of Unite the Union’s constitutional elections, with the exception of elections to the Executive Council and general secretary, are taking place this year. Elections for branch officers and workplace representatives take place in the first quarter of the year, with those elected taking office on 1 April.
Elected reps and officers can then attend regional conferences to elect regional industrial and equalities committees, and area activist committees. The new committees will, in turn, elect reps to national industrial sector and equalities committees, and regional committees.
Those are the basic details, but why is this important? Fighting unions are ultimately built from the base upwards, as the pressure of the working class is felt on its leaders. It is true that, since the election of Sharon Graham as general secretary, Unite has been at the forefront of industrial action to defend working conditions and win better pay. In 1,551 disputes, 80% have been won, and an extra £500 million put in members’ pockets. That record needs to be built on.
But the challenges now include building the political strategy for Unite. The union has already campaigned against the removal of the winter fuel allowance from most pensioners, and has warned against pressure from the capitalist class diluting measures in the Employment Rights Bill.
The question is will Unite continue funding Labour if it doesn’t make workers better off – or even leaves us poorer? This year’s policy conference must pass motions that urge Unite to back public representatives, including MPs, that fight for its policies. To do that, socialists must play a role in the sector and equalities committees that elect conference delegates.
Over the years, Socialist Party members and supporters have fought for policies at conference that would put Unite at the head of working-class struggle. Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, Unite supported mandatory reselection of Labour MPs, to oppose the sabotage of right-wing MPs. After ten years of socialists campaigning for it, it is now Unite policy to demand Labour councils pass no-cuts needs budgets.
These policies will need to be built on for the next period. Any group of five Unite members can elect a workplace representative to defend their interests, and to participate further in Unite’s structures. Socialists should step up to represent Unite members and put forward combative policies at all levels of the union.
Socialist Party members have played a key role in helping to launch a new left in the union, Unite Broad Left, to bring together the most combative reps and members to fight for a militant industrial and political programme
