After the week that was - UNISON Conference #uNDC14

On Friday afternoon after the close of the 2014 UNISON NDC conference at Brighton, I went to nearby Worthing for the weekend to recover.

On Saturday I went for 10.5 mile walk across ancient iron age forts in the South Downs. The weather was simply glorious, very warm with blue skies but there was a nice cooling breeze.

You could see Brighton in the far distance. I had spent the last 4 days from 9am to 6pm in what is fundamentally, a very large shed with up to 2500 other people. Walking outdoors in shorts, sandals and tee-shirt in beautiful countryside was a real treat. It was strange to start the day without a standing orders committee report mind!

It had been a very successful conference and we are now clearly taking the fight over low pay to the government. We were I think on the whole united and "in UNISON". Bizarrely one of the few disputes in the conference hall originated in the squabbling and infighting following the demise of the extremist so called "United left" group.

While I may wish the ultra left trotskyist "permanent revolutionaries" will stop fibbing their manta at the end of every speech that "their union money is going to the Labour Party" (the truth is that it is only from members who choose to pay the Labour Link levy), I enjoy their distinctive sleep inducing "house style" of speaking, which in the absence of hard liquor makes listening to them bearable.

While none of the motions that I was due to speak on behalf of the NEC came up high enough in the agenda, I did enjoy listening to the debates and the fringes. I was able to help out my branch delegation with speech writing and chaired the Capital Stewardship fringe.

A highlight of conference for me was the election by the NEC of Eric Roberts (London Ambulance Service branch secretary and Health NEC) as a new UNISON Vice President. Eric is a London comrade and top trade unionist. I look forward to him being President of the union in 2016.

I will post further reports on Conference as and when I write them up. 

Roll on UNISON Conference 2015 in Glasgow.

Hello Goodbye by trots complaining about "democratic centralism"

 I just love this Beatles Youtube clip. But seriously...

Trots have to do what their central committees tell them to do regardless of what they think is the right thing to do for their trade union members. It's laughingly called "democratic centralism" and amazingly it has taken some UNISON members 10 years to leave UNISON United left since they only now understand such a power imbalance is amongst other things - a rapist and domestic violence charter.

Dinner for One: United Left New Year Meal

The orginal Dinner for One.

SWP Unite "treachery" and is it Goodbye and Good riddance to "dis-respect" ?

Catching up with things after a week away - first is this Socialist Unity story on the "public act of treachery by the Socialist Workers Party" over the ending of the Unite BA Cabin Crew dispute.  Now I don't comment normally on other unions internal affairs. 

But when will centre left trade unionists learn that this is just what the "ultra left" do!!! If their Central Committees don't think something will further the revolution they will instruct their representatives to stab the union and the local reps in the back.  This is called "democratic centralism".  They have to do what they are told to do by their non union CC or be expelled as some sort of class traitor. 

I've listened to a load of stuff and nonsense in recent months from Unite activists about how the "United Left" in Unite all get on with each other, work together and don't have the sectarian battles we have in other unions.  - Yeah.

Don't you dare say I didn't warn you about this (you know who you are). 

On a more happy front this report from Dis-respect suggests I think (and others) that following their disastrous performance in the May Elections (I love Glasgow) that they may disband.  Dis-respect did take in some good people but surely this is good riddance to bad rubbish. Hat-tip Ali G.

The youtube video is from Icepicker100 is I think quite apt.

Unison United Left Exposed as Blairite Front!

NEC report on Meeting 19th June 09

The first meeting of the newly elected national executive council scheduled to take place at the end of the national delegate conference was unable to begin. This was owing to the presence of a member who had not been elected, as confirmed by the independent scrutineers' report dated 4 June 2009 which is binding on the union.

The member refused to leave the room despite being asked to do so by the general secretary on two occasions. The decision not to open the meeting was taken jointly by the outgoing presidential team and the general secretariat.The important business of the meeting, to elect a president and two vice presidents, could not be conducted in accordance with UNISON rules and trade union legislation.

The new presidential team will be elected at the forthcoming meeting of the national executive council on 8/9 July 2009. In the meantime, the outgoing presidential team will be consulted on all important matters.

Check out UNISON news.

Yet more disgraceful behaviour by the Ultra Left I am afraid.

UNISON NDC: An Open Letter From Untied Left

This was kindly sent on by Comrade Mercader. Double click, print off and copy for your delegation.

Outrageous sexism by United Left choice of NEC Candidates

Many thanks for the latest entertaining and upbeat video analysis offering by Comrade Mercader on the ongoing UNISON NEC elections. The Ultra Left (UL) dominated sect “United Left” are trying (surprise, surprise) to get elected their own central committee vanguard of “angry young men” (who are mostly in reality white middle aged blokes). While ignoring the fact that over 70% of UNISON members are actually women. So much for fairness or proportionality then?

Headphones/speakers and dancing shoes ON

I’ve just completed my ballot papers for my region (London) and my Service Group (Local Government).
I’ve voted (X) for –

GREATER LONDON REGION
FEMALE SEAT Vote for up to TWO candidates
Louise COULING X
Kim SILVER X

MALE SEAT Vote for ONE candidate only
Conroy LAWRENCE X

LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE GROUP
GENERAL SEAT Vote for ONE candidate only
Carol LUKEY X

MALE SEAT Vote for ONE candidate only
Glen WILLIAMS X

FEMALE SEAT Vote for up to TWO candidates
Lynn POULTON X
Julie ROBINSON X

Check out this website Members in UNISON for other recommendations. (Please forward this but do not use UNISON resources to do so)

A Message about United Left from Comrade Mercader!

This is an internal UNISON thingy. Another great video from Comrade Mercader. Ballot papers are being sent out this week to all members for the UNISON NEC elections. If you are a UNISON member then please vote for anyone but the so-called “United Left” slate. UL is dominated by the extremist “Ultra Left” Socialist Workers Party et al. There is no place for such people in the leadership of modern day democratic and progressive trade unions.

Check out this excellent web site Members in UNISON which has details about some of the Sensible Left candidates.

In London region we have Kim Silver, Louise Couling, Conroy Lawrence and Eric Roberts standing for NEC positions.

Earphones or speaker’s on!

V for Victory in UNISON London Labour Link Elections

Last night I received notification of the results. I was elected to the UNISON Labour Link (APF) National Forum.

Congratulations to the rest of the centre left slate in the UNISON London region Labour Link elections to the National forum and Labour Party conference.

Commiserations to the unsuccessful candidates (apart of course from the entryists)

It’s another convincing victory of the forces of light and reason following on from the recent UNISON London Regional Council election AGM.

I think the appalling behaviour of the Ultra left at this meeting helped us with our success. The aggressive and abusive behaviour by a minority of the so-called “United left” at that meeting has I think weakened them yet again. I have spoken to many who had attended the Council meeting who were just horrified at the behaviour of the extremists.

Supporters of United left who do not support such aggressive and nasty toy town revolutionaries need to ask themselves what on earth they are doing being associated with this lot?

Last year’s successful result was announced on celtic saint St Piran’s Day and the year before was on St David’s Day. Yesterday was the 33rd anniversary of the Harold Wilson 1966 Labour election victory. Will that do? A good sign for 2010?

Congratulations to Margaret Back, Lynn Bentley, Goria Hanson, Monica Powell and Kim Silver. Myself, John Gough and Ian Horrigan. Last but not least - Louise Couling.

A true band of Brothers and Sisters.

Many thanks to all those who supported us.

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

Merry Shove Tuesday Mr Lawrence

(If you are not interested in the internal political machinations of the trade union UNISON in London then please ignore this post.)

Well, actually it should have been titled “We are not Trots Mr Lawrence (honest gov)”.

Picture (left) of Conroy and current acting convenor Gloria!

Things are hot-ing up a little for the London UNISON regional Council AGM on Wednesday (see email below sent to various London UNISON branches today). Malcolm “methinks thou dost protest too much” Campbell has had a “dig” at top UNISON Health steward (hospital electrician) Conroy Lawrence, who actually did not know who exactly would be part of the SWP/United left slate when he put in his nomination (except of course that there would be one).

It is interesting to note that apparently Mandy has now “left” the SWP after 20 odd years of membership and that none of the other candidates are members of Trotsky Entryist Labour Party factions. Well, that’s all right then. I thought *** was never a member of United Left? and that of course the wonderful Katrina has been taken over by UL Zombie body snatchers.

Has anyone in disunited left ever heard the saying “I joined the Labour party to help change the world, not to change the minutes of the previous meeting”? What on earth is Malcolm going on about? I assume that I was at the same meetings and do not recognise what on earth he is actually making a complaint about. I thought I was a total anorak?

Whatever the result it should be a fun packed AGM. I will let you know what went on.

From: Malcolm Campbell Sent: 04 February 2008 08:55Subject: URGENT - Regional Council AGM
Please forward this to your Regional Council delegates and ask them to read it carefully.

I'm writing to urge you to vote for the following people in the election of Regional Council Officers this Wednesday:

Convenor: Mandy Berger
Deputy Convenor: Malcolm Campbell
Finance Convenor: Heenal Rajani
Publicity Officer: Katrina Hoogendam
Equalities Convenor: *** ****

In his election address, Conroy Lawrence (who is standing against me for Deputy Convenor) talks about the Region being "captured by those who take their policies from extreme parties and who are answerable to their political masters and not UNISON's members". He is clearly suggesting that this describes those of us standing against him and his running mates. This is completely untrue.

I'm a member of the Labour Party and have never been a member of any other political party. Heenal, Katrina and *** are also members of the Labour Party, and Mandy is not a member of any party.

The idea that we won't be answerable to the membership is misleading in the extreme. We're standing on a platform of democracy and accountability, because we believe that the leadership of the Region for the last two years hasn't been allowing the views of the membership to be considered. Debate has been stifled.

Examples of this are:

An inquorate Regional Council meeting where debate was quite rightly allowed regarding the fight against fascism, but we weren't allowed to discuss the Pensions Dispute, which was at a crucial stage
Not allowing the Regional Committee to vote on a proposal for a Regional rally on a strike day, when other regions were holding them.
A consultation exercise regarding the establishing of a Regional Standing Orders Committee which only outlined two alternatives, and not a third which had been proposed involving a directly elected SOC
Introducing an SOC comprised of the Regional Council Officers, without the agreement of either the Regional Council or the Regional Committee
Not allowing a proper debate regarding motions submitted to Regional Council which had been ruled out of order (this was at a meeting of the Regional Committee curtailed after only 10 minutes of the allotted 45, when the Acting Regional Convenor and the Regional Secretary left the room despite there still being a number of people indicating that they wanted to speak!)
Not allowing a vote at the last Regional Committee on a perfectly valid proposal to commit the Region in principle to a joint union meeting in the future over Public Sector pay
This list isn't exhaustive and demonstrates that the way the Region is currently being run just isn't good enough.

PLEASE VOTE FOR DEMOCRACY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

CheersMalcolm Campbell

UPDATE: I have been asked by someone mentioned on this post to remove their name. I have done so. grayee

Disorganised Left Machinations?

A number of true comrades have fw me this interesting exchange from the “disUnited Left” (SWP et al) about their plotting and conniving for next weeks London UNISON AGM. I trust everyone did what they were told?

From: JON ROGERS
Sent: 30 January 2008 21:39

Subject: Re: Regional AGM

Speaking personally I have to agree that it is important that the left maximises our position on the Regional Committee. Over the past two years, although the office has won most of the Regional Council Officer positions we have managed to hold a working majority at most Regional Committee meetings.

Although we have been able to do no more than prevent the office having any mandate for their machinations I am sure that it would have been - and would be - far worse if we had not had this working majority. Whether we win or lose the Regional Convenor and other positions it is important that we do as well as possible in the elections for the Regional Committee.

We are in a poor position already in that - for various reasons - we have not nominated enough candidates for the women's seats. Therefore if we can hold four out of six of the general seats we must. Given the reality of STV we could not possibly hold five out of six.

The office will have issued detailed instructions to "their" delegates on how to vote and use their preferences to maximise their position. They are standing four candidates as that is the maximum they could realistically win by the most effective use of first preferences. If we run five left wing candidates for the six general seats the distribution of first preferences will probably mean that we win two or at most three seats, whereas if we run four candidates we are more likely to win three or even four candidates.

It is unfortunate that this year we have been insufficiently organised and are left having to try to arrive at decisions at the last minute. However, XXX is entirely right about yesterday's decision and that decision was also correct.

The candidate who is withdrawing will need to notify the office of course.

Best wishes Jon Rogers

----- Original Message ---- From: XXX
Sent: Wednesday, 30 January, 2008 7:53:43 PM

Subject: Regional AGM
Dear

The campaign meeting last night discussed the general regional committee seats (again!)
The position is that it is going to be extremely hard to keep the 4 incumbent seats we have but obviously we should give it a go and try our hardest.

If we stand 5 candidates for the 6 general seats and the rightwing are standing 4 we will be splitting our votes and won't have any chance of retaining 4 seats - and more than that we may not even get 3 people elected.

The meeting last night agreed that the united left should only stand 4 candidates which I'm afraid means one of you withdrawing.

The meeting decided its preference would be for the 4th candidate for a balance between service groups.

Can you get back to me asap please as the region need to be told tomorrow in order to stop the ballot papers being printed with all 5 names.
Thanks XXX xx

An Offer You Cannot Refuse - Support the Teamster School Bus drivers

Bit last minute, but UNISON Transport Executive agrees to support the UNISON Capital Stewardship Forum efforts to ask our funds to vote in favour of a motion sponsored by UNITE (TGWU) and US trade union funds on Thursday 12 July 2007.

On Thursday there is the First Group plc annual shareholder conference in Aberdeen. There is a resolution at this conference moved by socially responsible investment funds Domini Social Investments and the Calvert Group, together with 142 Unite (TGWU) members at First Group and 2 other trade union pension funds. They filed the resolution in light of ongoing labour relations concerns, particularly at First Student, Inc., the company’s U.S. subsidiary. At last year’s Annual General Meeting, First Group admitted to anti-union acts. The Board then urged a vote against the shareholder proposal stating that the company was committed to “stamping out anti-union behaviour in the U.S.” and enforcing its own policy of neutrality toward unions.

Despite this commitment, the company has failed to protect workers from intimidation and harassment by U.S. manager’s intent on thwarting workers’ efforts to join a union, as documented in a recent report by three labour rights experts.

Support for the human rights resolution at First Group, plc is critical to protect the interests of investors as First Group expands operations throughout North America and takes on greater operational and financial risk.

Many LGPS funds will invest in First Group. Please let your money managers know that you will be carefully monitoring their vote on Resolution 15 at First Group. The proponents believe that supporting this proposal will send a clear message to management that reducing labour risks and grievances is vital to First Group’s long-term success and sustainability. They urge investors to vote for Resolution 15.

If you can, please write to your fund managers (via your investment committee Chair?) asking them to support Resolution 15 at this AGM. If it is too late then make sure that during the next investment panel meeting you will be questioning the fund managers on how and why they voted on this issue.

UNISON NEC Election Results: London Victory for Centre Left, National Union Safe.

Congratulations to London lollypop lady, Louise Couling, who was re-elected, new blood Kim Silver, elected for the first time and elected unopposed, Irene Stacey. Well done all of them.

Louise and Kim beat both female candidates from the SWP controlled “United Left” faction. A resounding victory!!

Sadly, top health rep Conroy Lawrence was defeated by the narrowest of margins in the male seat (less than 650 votes) but this is a great result for a first time candidate!! Formal and very sincere congratulations to United Left Jon Rogers.

Overall, despite a few casualties and losing some good people, nationally we had victory across the board. Most importantly, the union is safe; the NEC is still in the hands of ordinary members who want the best for UNISON and who will pursue real trade union policies rather than calling for permanent revolution and other such nonsense.

A May Day Evening with Ken

Last night after the march I went to the annual trade union, May Day reception, laid on by London Mayor, Ken Livingston, at City Hall, SE1. It was held in the “London Living Room” which is on the 9th floor of City Hall. It has brilliant views over central London and the Thames. There is an open air balcony and you can see for miles.

The place was packed (200 odd?) with the great and good of TIGMOO. Ken lived up to his reputation of being a good host, lots of lovely grub and a drink or two. There was a good presence from London UNISON (See picture with TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber).

Ken gave a speech first. Concentrating about the London Assembly elections next year (2008), the threat from the BNP and the lies that they tell (e.g. during the local council elections last year in Barking, the BNP spread the lie that Ken was giving £50,000 to every African who wanted to move to that area). He made a good point that there is a lot of cynicism amongst the public about what “politicians” say (I would agree to a point). However, many people will trust what their trade union and shop steward says. So if the union tells its members, don’t believe the rubbish that the fascists are putting out, members are more likely to pay attention. I think this is largely true.

Brendan gave a thought provoking speech about the role of trade unions and the way we have to adapt to our modern day society. Which I suppose was a lead to Tony Woodley, Joint Secretary of the brand new union UNITE which was born on May 1. UNITE merges the Transport & General (I use to be a member and shop steward) and Amicus (I also use to be a member). UNITE is now probably the biggest trade union in the UK. Tony is a fluent and natural speaker. You could see him even now as the former convenor in Vauxhall’s car plant, Ellesmere Port (which use to be a major employer where I grew up). It was interesting that he expressed regret that Ken was no longer a MP, since he would have had his support as a candidate to be the Labour Leader! Ken’s face beamed unabashed. However, I am certain he must play the game “what if” from time to time (don’t we all).

Due to UNITE, there are various rumours about what UNISON and the GMB will do in response. I teased the GMB Tower Hamlets branch secretary yesterday that UNISON and the GMB were about to merge. He replied “never in my life time, never in my life time!” He’s like me, a young chap (okay, okay – mid 40’s is now young). Maybe so. However, I do not expect there to be a stand alone “GMB” or “UNISON” in 5 years time. We live in interesting times. Why can’t we have single industry/service unions?

All in all, an excellent end to an excellent day. Tomorrow morning (taken day off), I am off with a car load of East London comrades to Thurrock, Essex to help out in the election. Good practice, since the BNP are standing in all their wards.

Good luck to all Labour candidates tomorrow.

To my United Left Comrades - Is there a conspiracy against you?

This is "off message" but I must post this urgent and important link for all my friends in UNISON United Left. Treachery is afoot!

I'm at home supposed to be painting the bannister at the moment.

You may have to try 2 or 3 times (speakers/headphones on)