As part of his campaign for General Secretary of UNITE Jerry Hicks
will be addressing a series of public meetings and visiting a number of
workplaces across Ireland in the coming week (beginning the 27th
September).
Unite the Union Britain and Ireland’s largest and most influential
trade union is gearing up for the election of its General Secretary.
This election comes at a time when the Conservative and Liberal Democrat
coalition is about to announce its plans for massive cuts to be set out
in their Autumn Budget in October.
In Ireland the living standards of working people are under ferocious
attack. In the south public sector workers have seen wage cuts of up to
20%. In the north they face a two year wage freeze – and that’s before
the new budget is announced. Pension entitlements are being stolen, dole
queues are lengthening and the whole idea of public health and
education services is under attack. The promise was that this was the
way to recovery – we can see how hollow that idea was. In Britain and
the North the review of public spending is guaranteed to deliver the
same misery.
All eyes will be on where any possible fight back may emanate. Given
the size and make up of Unite, which represents over 1.5 million members
in all sectors of the economy, this makes the election for the union’s
General Secretary the most significant union election for decades.
Jerry Hicks is the grassroots candidate the other three being
Assistant General Secretaries. Many are already saying that Jerry Hicks
could become the first elected General Secretary of super-union ‘Unite’.
Given the size and make up of Unite, it makes the election for the
union’s General Secretary the most significant union election for
decades.
As part of his campaign for General Secretary Jerry will be
addressing a series of public meetings and visiting a number of
workplaces across Ireland in the coming week (beginning the 27th
September).
These include
Mid-Ulster – Monday 27th September (venue TBA)
Newry – Tuesday 28th (Newry Bus Depot)
Belfast – Wednesday 29th (Jury’s Hotel)
Dublin – Thursday 30th (The Teachers Club)
All meetings will begin at 7.30pm
All trade unionists and members of the public are welcome to attend.
Jerry will also be available for interview and for workplace visits
during the day.
For further details contact tour organiser John McAnulty
tel:0035 383 002 8959 or email: Jmcanulty@into.ie
Jerry Hicks can be contacted direct by phone on 078 178 279 12
or email: jerryhicks4gs2010@yahoo.co.uk
