Press Release - Dawn raids on UNISON Branches
From: Unison unitedleft <unisonunitedleft@googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:23:27 +0000
To: <unisonunitedleft@unionlists.org.uk>
Subject: Press Release - Dawn raids on UNISON Branches
Unison United Left, the rank and file organisation for members of the UK's largest public sector union today spoke out against the seizure of union branch offices by union staff.
Full time officials from Unison's London Regional Office led teams of staff into branch offices in Bromley and Woolwich in South East London taking control away from locally elected officials.
The Tenant Services authority branch was also placed under regional control.
This action followed the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on four Unison activists, including the Secretaries of the Bromley, Tenant Services and Greenwich branches.
"Evidence in a recent tribunal case shows that the Regional Secretary had wanted these activists suspended two years ago," said a United Left spokesperson, "now the Region is taking control of these branches in a blatant attempt to put in a local leadership who will do as they are told.
" John McDonnell UNISON MP who has consistently spoken up in support of UNISON activists, was outraged at this latest attack and said:
"This is a disgraceful attack on unison members and contrary to union democracy - members should choose their own representatives. It is also an appalling waste of the time and energy of Unison staff and activists at a time when our members face unprecedented job cuts"
Not content with wasting thousands of pounds of UNISON members money witch hunting activists over the last 3 years, UNISON staff are now openly flouting UNISON's own rules
UNISON united left encourages members and activists to voice their opposition to Dave Prentis General Secretary and Linda Perks Regional Secretary.
Paul Holmes candidate for UNISON General Secretary said "This is totally unacceptable. I have raised the issue, as an NEC member for Local Government, as a matter of urgency with the Head of Local Government, Ms H.Wakefield. I can't see how there can be a connection between suspensions relating to incidents over 2 years ago and any need to have raids and to put functioning branches into special measures."
Note to editors.
1. Unison United Left is the rank and file organisation for members of UNISON.
2. Unison United Left believes that UNISON full time officers have breached:
Rule B.2.2 which states that UNISON is a "member-led" Union in which decisions taken by members will be carried out.
Rule B.2.5 which promotes the rights of members to participate in decision-making.
Rule G.3.1 which confirms the rights of members to attend branch meetings
Rule G.4.1.2 which gives members the right to elect the officers of our branches
3. For more information email unisonunitedleft@googlemail.com
4.Paul Holmes is standing for UNISON General secretary more information can be found at www.paulholmeskirklees.blogspot.com
2 comments:
I am so angry about this and other attacks on UNISON activists. If the leadership put as much effort into attacking the government as it does its own members then we'd be a force to be reckoned with.
I am thinking of leaving UNISON in disgust and joining the GMB. I am running out of reasons not to do so.
Steve
Hi Steve, I understand your anger but disagree that leaving would be an option!
We need to stay together and stand up to these bullies.
You leaving is what they want it makes it easier for them to take over.
Remember this is a lay led union and you need to stay together as a branch to take back control.
Don't abandon the branch to paid officials
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