A joint press conference by Jerry Hicks and Paul Holmes was held in London on Thursday. Click here to watch a video of Jerry speaking.
The following press release was issued prior to the event:
Press release: Press release: Press release: Sunday, May 09, 2010
Press conference and open meeting, Thursday 13th May 6.30pm University of London union, Malet Street, room 3e
‘Union election candidates unite against ‘public schoolboy Government’
Whilst Cameron and Clegg discuss working together and how to
implement a ‘savage cuts’ agenda, Jerry Hicks and Paul Holmes are
discussing how to lead the 2 biggest unions in a campaign to defend
workers.
The leading candidates in elections for Britain’s two largest unions
are joining forces today, Thursday 13 May, in a direct challenge to the
new Government which is set to cut public spending and attack trade
union rights.
Jerry Hicks, will be the only candidate that is not a national
official of unite and is thought by many to become the first elected
General Secretary of super-union ‘Unite’ and Paul Holmes, who is
standing to replace Dave Prentis as General Secretary of public service
union, Unison. Are meeting in London to co-ordinate plans to organise
trade union resistance to any Government plans to cut jobs and freeze
pay.
“Our unions face the fight of our lives,” said Holmes – Secretary of
Unison’s powerful Kirklees branch in Yorkshire. Jerry Hicks added, “Now
more than ever we need the unions to be led by ordinary workers who
understand the day to day problems which union members face.”
Union insiders report increasing concern from senior officials of
Unison and Unite that, following the result of the General Election,
workers may reject officials seen as to close to the previous Labour
Government.
This could see Jerry Hicks and Paul Holmes elected on a tide of
militancy, reflected in the current dispute between Unite and British
Airways.
ENDS:
Notes to editors:
(1) Jerry Hicks is seeking nominations in the first election for a
single General Secretary of Unite, the UK’s largest trade union and
biggest single donator to the Labour party. In last year’s election for
joint General Secretary he (Jerry Hicks) came second to Derek Simpson,
Mr Simpson will not be standing this time.
(2) Paul Holmes has been nominated by more than 50 branches of
Unison in the current election for General Secretary of Unison, which
has 1.3 Million members. Ballot papers will be issued from 17 May.
For further details please Tel: 07817827912
