"Untie" – The New Unions?

I’m sure that comrades at the trade union Unite will enjoy their new nickname that scurrilous folk at other unions have dreamed up.

I am sure that a split will never happen, mind you, I enjoyed this press release about the “warm personal friendship” between joint General Secretaries Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson.

Reminds me of what Dave Prentis said at this year’s UNISON conference (it was a joke BTW).

UNISON/Unite/GMB/CWU rally

“Social Justice at Work – the heart of the British Identity”? Monday evening. The Big 4 trade unions.

Picture of Unite-Amicus General Secretary Derek Simpson in full flow, then Tony Woodley GS Unite–TGWU, Chair Gloria Mills (UNISON), Paul Kenny GS of GMB and of course Dave Prentis GS of UNISON. Billy Hayes of the CWU couldn't make it. They all seemed very relaxed and confident. Dave gave a good speech and I think was the only person I heard at the conference to mention the “S” word.

Short time for Q&A so unable to ask my question on the unions working together to promote Capital Stewardship. Saw Derek (much, much later) at the Billy Bragg concert and said to him I suppose this is not a good time to talk about trade unions and pension governance? Unfortunately he agreed it wasn’t. Oh well, if you don’t ask….