SERTUC Question Time: Do Unions Matter?

The invite actually said that the theme of this trade union "Question Time" was “In these modern progressive times where we are moving towards globalisation do unions still serve a purpose? What specific purpose do they serve?”

It was organised yesterday evening by the South eastern region of the TUC (SERTUC) and the format was very much based on the BBC “Question Time”. The panel compromised of (left to right) Glenroy Watson (RMT) Karen Jennings (UNISON Health); Chair Trevor Sterling (Thompsons Solicitors);); Rosemary Laryea (Presenter “Colourful Radio”); Linda Perks (London UNISON/SERTUC) and Sam Gurney (TUC). I was with our UNISON Regional Convener Gloria Hanson.

Questions were posted on the web and passed on to the panelists by the relaxed and good humoured Chair. Usual health warning that people were speaking faster than I can type accurately. This report is only a snapshot of the first question since if I was to editor the whole report on the entire evening I will probably never finish it.

The first 1st question was around “is Industrial Action effective?” Which I think is a key question to trade unionists. Karen Jennings said yes it is effective but for most trade unionists it’s the last card you play. Which you should only take it when you think you can win by it. You must have your “troops” lined up behind you in support and you must work out what management will do in response. You should aim to win strikes within 1-3 days. It is the threat of Industrial action that will bring most employers back to the negotiating table. Linda Perks said it was a weapon that reinforces negotiation and is very much a last resort. It is part of armoury to get a negotiated settlement. The law makes it almost impossible to take lawful industrial action. However, if the Tories get in it would be even worse. Employers are using the law more and more.

The response from the floor by UNISON NEC member Glen Kelly was not entirely unexpected. He pointed out that the recent Leeds Bin Strike had been successful but has lasted more than 3 days (11 weeks). Karen responded by saying yes that had been a great victory with a crystal clear outcome but generally if you bring out health care or social services out for this length of time in one go we would lose public sympathy.

Glen in another response about the European President contest made a very interesting remark (to me anyway) that Tony Blair was the “most hatred Man in Britain”. Now this may have been just daft hyperbole but I don’t think so. Some people may indeed hate Tony Blair while others may think he should be the most hated. I guess that many present that night would think would think that he was no friend of the trade union movement, but I would bet my bottom dollar that no rational person actually believes that Blair is the most hated person in the land. We were of course talking that night about the BNP leader Griffin. So we have an insight into those who live in a very different world from ours and see things through a different prism from those who live on planet Earth.

I may post further on the rest of this evening since it was a really good night but I have too much stuff to post at them moment and I don’t think that people bother reading long posts. So my new regime is little and often.

Ground Control to Commissar Jon: your circuits dead, there’s something wrong

It is a shame to wash our dirty clothes in public but I note that the renowned witch hunter and red baiting UNISON NEC member has complained on his blog that the Ultra Left cultist, Glen Kelly, was “howled down” at yesterday's NEC meeting. I understand from people who were actually there and live on the planet earth that nothing of the sort actually happened.

It is interesting that he indicates that what he calls “gentle heckling” by Ultra Left extremists at this year’s NDC conference was okay? ...and he has the blooming cheek to calls his NEC colleague “hypocrites”?

Now I come from a rough and ready tradition of public political debate and can be as passionate about things as anyone. Sometimes, in the dim and distance past I will admit, even I, have overstepped the mark somewhat at meetings for which I have then apologised (never at our Conference of course).

But the continual screaming, shouting and booing in some Conference debates this year by Ultra Left delegates who at the top of their voices yelled - “Liars” and “Rubbish” at speakers they happened not to agree with is completely unacceptable. It is not “gentle heckling” This appeared to be organised and pre-planned behaviour and gave the clear impression that it was done quite deliberately to physically frighten and put off ordinary members from speaking at our Conference.

But I think that most people have a different view of heckling than Trotskyite entryists who always want to shout down opponents since they don’t actually believe in such bourgeois concepts such as democracy. Instead they think shouting loudly and being indignantly outraged all the time will bring about the revolution.

Remember: This is from people who quite deliberately wreaked a sensible rule change (and wound up others with untruths and smears) at Conference which would have assisted the union with throwing out of membership Racists and Nazi’s. Some speakers against the rule change did have a principled argument but why the Ultra Left actively organised against it is beyond me? I cannot think of any other reason than to score points to suit their own narrow, pointless and sectarian purposes.

United Left Surrender position?

I can’t resist either posting this web picture of my old mucker, NEC member and Bromley Local government branch secretary, Glen Kelly, at the recent United Left Trotference in London.

What is Glenn on about I hear you say?

Is he surrendering to the forces of light and progression?

Is he indicating the trade union density you need to start a revolution?

Or is he referring to the average number of votes that SPEW (Socialist Party of England & Wales) get at each seat they contest at a general election?

I thought SPEW had Left United Left?

I think we should be told? If you have any other ideas no doubt you will let me know.

Hat tip to Comrade Mercader

Oh Well, Win Some Lose Some

I have just got the results about the UNISON London Local Government Service Group Executive Election. I was well beaten by incumbent David Eggmore who got 2,882 votes. Second was Glenn Kelly who got a surprising (to me anyway) 2,528. I came third with 1,430 and Oreleo DuCran came 4th with 677. See previous post.

Congratulations to David!

The good news is that Irene Stacey (see next post) won the London female seat 3586 to 3532. Narrowing defeating Sonya Howard. Interesting to speculate about what this actually means?

Bad news I fear also about Rachel Voller and Bill Beekoo in the London Health SGE elections. I am sure that this is just a blip!

Nationally the centre left seemed to have done better.

I enjoyed the campaign and have a number of ideas on how to possibly get a better result in any future elections.

Turnout was as always very poor. 79,507 members balloted, total number of valid votes counted only 7,517. There was an incredible 677 invalid votes cast in my election and 1076 for the female seat? Scotland who balloted 102,282 members only had 61 invalid votes? (Only one seat up for election in that region).

The low turnout meant that in London you only needed just fewer than 3% of the membership vote to win.

Would better publicity, raising the profile of the SGE, internet voting, voting via mobile phones make any difference?

Anyway, such is life, I am now settling down to a nice cup of tea. (still using skimmed milk)

UNISON Local Government Service Group Executive Elections (London region)

Following my last post on the UNISON London Health SGE elections (in support of Layla, Bill and Rachel). Here is a copy of a flyer that Irene and I are sending out for the London Local Government SGE elections.

In the picture left Irene is seen receiving a prize for being the top trade union recruiter for 2007 with Gordon. You all know by now what I look like.

If you are a member of UNISON Local Government in London, please copy this flyer and email to any other members you know. UNISON branch funds and distribution lists should not be used. Ballot papers are due to be sent out tomorrow to members home addresses.

Irene is a traditional Labour Party supporter and is a care assistant in Newham. She is standing against a SP candidate. While I am standing against the incumbent United left candidate (David Eggmore) as well as a high profile Socialist Party candidate (Glenn Kelly) and Oreleo Melvin Du Cann. My candidacy has in the recent past caused discord amongst the comrades. Shame.

UNISON: URGENT INFORMATION PLEASE READ: UNISON

Vote Irene Stacey and John Gray for the UNISON London Elections April 2008

Dear UNISON Member

You will shortly get ballot papers from UNISON for important London wide union elections. These ballot papers will be sent to you at home.

The elections are important since the people who you elect will directly represent you and all other London UNISON members nationally.

Irene Stacey has worked in schools and home care for over 20 years and is Newham Branch Secretary. She has represented London in UNISON for many years. John Gray is a housing estate officer in Tower Hamlets, branch health & safety officer and the elected London UNISON Finance Convenor.

Irene and John are standing as UNISON London representatives because they believe it is time for change. They want London to send representatives to National UNISON who put ordinary members interests at heart and put members concerns first.

They also want the union to listen to London and help us fight low pay, privatisation, poor health & safety, and inequality.

Irene and John are also UNISON Labour Link members. They want to use our influence in the Labour Party to work for and promote UNISON aims and values. Protest or gesture politics are a luxury we cannot afford.

VOTE FOR IRENE AND JOHN!

X IRENE STACEY (FEMALE SEAT)

X JOHN GRAY (GENERAL SEAT)