Next week, hundreds of activists from across the public sector are meeting in Brighton for this year’s Unison national delegate conference. Young members rep Lilly Boulby looks at the challenges ahead for Unison and the trade union movement.
The campaign to defend Paul Holmes has suffered a knock in the courts, showing the limits of gaining justice through legalistic means. To fight back, we need industrial action by council workers, and solidarity from across the labour movement.
For years, an unholy alliance of council employers, right-wing union bureaucrats, and disgruntled opponents have attempted to victimise Paul Holmes, the President of Unison. Now the truth is emerging about this disgraceful witch-hunt.
Left-wing Unison president Paul Holmes was sacked from his job at Kirklees Council earlier this year, following a two-year witch-hunt. This has sparked a grassroots movement of resistance. Activists must escalate the struggle to defend Paul.
Following a two-year witch-hunt, Kirklees Council has shamefully sacked Unison president Paul Holmes. This disgraceful act will embolden employers to go on the offensive against trade union activists. A titanic fightback is needed.
It is the duty of left activists to defend Paul Holmes, the democratically-elected Unison President, who is facing a witch-hunt by the employers and union bureaucrats. Unfortunately, however, sectarian elements are aiding this victimisation.
Despite being hammered by inflation, Unison has failed to galvanise members in ballots over pay. Left activists must mobilise to win a majority in upcoming union elections, in order to launch a real struggle against the government and employers.
Today was meant to see the verdict in the case of Paul Holmes’ suspension by Kirkless Council. Instead, the employers have postponed the decision, meaning this ongoing victimisation saga continues. The labour movement must mobilise in solidarity.
As of 6 December, Paul Holmes’ suspension from Unison has been lifted. The left have fought hard to get to this point. Now the battle must be to democratise the union fully.
Last weekend saw the first ever conference of young members in Unison, which represents workers across the public sector. But delegates hungry for radical ideas and bold strategy were left unsated. We need to fight to transform our unions.
This weekend sees the Unison young members conference in Cardiff. Writing in a personal capacity, NEC member Lilly Boulby explains why young workers need a union that not only represents their interests, but is prepared to fight for them.
Unison members in the NHS and local government are currently being balloted in disputes over pay. With workers in other unions facing the same battle, the potential exists for a united public sector strike. But this requires fighting leadership.