A couple of
days after four London based Socialist Party activists were banned from office
in UNISON. Regional Full Time Officials raided their branch offices seizing
computer equipment and records including confidential case files. This Police
style raid has nothing in common with the democratic traditions of the Labour
and Trade Union Movement and much more in common with the methods of Stalinism,
circa 1937. We reprint the press release produced by the UNISON United Left
with comments from both Paul Holmes the United Left supported candidate for the
General Secretary Election and John McDonnell MP.
Stop the witch hunts
For a fighting and democratic union
Press Release from UNISON United Left
Unison United Left, the rank and file organisation for members of the
UK’s largest public sector union today spoke out against the seizure of union
branch offices by union staff.
Full time officials from Unison’s London Regional Office led teams of staff
into branch offices in Bromley and Woolwich in South East London taking control
away from locally elected officials.
The Tenant Services authority branch was also placed under regional control.
This action followed the imposition of disciplinary sanctions on four Unison
activists, including the Secretaries of the Bromley, Tenant Services and
Greenwich branches.
"Evidence in a recent tribunal case shows that the Regional Secretary had
wanted these activists suspended two years ago," said a United Left
spokesperson, "now the Region is taking control of these branches in a
blatant attempt to put in a local leadership who will do as they are told."
John McDonnell, a Labour MP who has consistently spoken up in support of UNISON activists, was
outraged at this latest attack and said:
"This is a disgraceful attack on unison members and contrary to union
democracy – members should choose their own representatives. It is also an
appalling waste of the time and energy of Unison staff and activists at a time
when our members face unprecedented job cuts"
Not content with wasting thousands of pounds of UNISON members money witch
hunting activists over the last 3 years, UNISON staff are now openly flouting
UNISON’s own rules
UNISON united left encourages members and activists to voice their opposition
to Dave Prentis General Secretary and Linda Perks Regional Secretary.
Paul Holmes candidate for UNISON General
Secretary said: "This is totally
unacceptable. I have raised the issue, as an NEC member for Local Government,
as a matter of urgency with the Head of Local Government, Ms H.Wakefield.
I can’t see how there can be a connection between suspensions
relating to incidents over 2 years ago and any need to have raids and to
put functioning branches into special measures."
