The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) has issued the following press release outlining union support for John McDonnell to be on the ballot for Labour leader:
The Labour Party affiliated BFAWU trade union has written to all Labour MPs urging them to nominate John McDonnell. In a letter to MPs, Joe Marino (General Secretary) and Ronnie Draper (President) write:
“BFAWU recognises the unquestionable and unwavering work that John McDonnell has done for the British trade union movement.
“We also welcome his determination that working people must not be
made for a crisis that is not of their making, and his opposition to
the Con-Dem cuts agenda that will devastate our communities.“Therefore we are calling upon all Labour MPs and members of the
Bakers Union Parliamentary Group in particular to nominate John
McDonnell in the interests of party democracy, regardless of the final
candidate they may choose to support.”
Download the LRC flyer: why we back John McDonnell for Leader
/ Download the model resolution and get it passed in your union branch or CLP
Separately, the non-affiliated union RMT has also come out backing John. Bob Crow, General Secretary, said:
“John McDonnell leads the RMT group in parliament and no MP has done
more to fight against attacks on jobs, public services and workers
rights. John is a tireless worker on behalf of trade unionists and the
communities that will be there in the front line of the ConDem attack
and he is the perfect alternative to the assorted candidates from
Continuity New Labour.“John McDonnell has a reservoir of support that extends way beyond
the ranks of the Labour Party membership, it would be an absolute
travesty if he was kept out of the race for the leadership and would
send out a signal that the Labour Party machine has learnt absolutely
nothing.“On the big issues; defending public services, opposing
privatisation, repealing the anti-trade union laws, bringing our troops
home and supporting workers rights, John stands shoulder to shoulder
with RMT and the trade union and socialist movement. He deserves our
full support.”
Prior to these unions expressing their backing, Unison United Left –
the broad left organisation within Unison – has also voted to support
John McDonnell’s leadership, which was launched with a speech to the PCS conference on Wednesday 19th May and which received a standing ovation.
