Manchester Unison: Good vote for left

Manchester Unison: Good vote for left

On the same day that Manchester city council announced £25 million of ‘savings’, the Unison union branch representing many council staff announced the results of its leadership elections.

Jim Cessford

The left vote was: Myself 344 votes, Neil McAlister 302, John Clegg 301 and David Kemp 283. The current leadership was re-elected with a significantly reduced vote, and their majority narrowed by 20% to 200 votes over mine. The turnout remained very low.

While the Left candidates used the election campaign to raise the real issues of pay and conditions affecting members, the branch leadership resorted to personalised attacks, which are strongly disputed by the Left candidates.

We can be within striking distance of winning one or more of the assistant branch secretary posts next year, provided we build on these results. I am determined to do so and urge others to work with me, for the fighting leadership which members urgently need given the scale of attacks we will face.