The love which (in UNISON) can never speak its name...

I do realise that I owe regular readers of this blog (Sid and Doris Blogger) an apology for the infrequency of my recent blogging.

Sometimes being a lay activist is even busier than other times!

However, I think I must say something now about the love which (in UNISON) must not speak its name.

That is the love of democracy.

For UNISON is a progressive trade union which welcomes us all – yet there are those who purport to speak for UNISON who draw the line at democrats.

Those who think that we others who believe that there should continue to be annual elections for branch and Regional lay officials (and annual Conferences) – we should really remain silent.

Those who think that we others who believe that branch delegates should decide the recommendation to our members on any pay offer from the employers – we should curb our tongues.

Those who think that we others who believe that there should be five yearly elections for our General Secretary – we should take a vow of silence.

Guess what?

No.

I think it is time to return to daily blogging, simply because of the encouragement I have been given by those who have told me not to.

I wish I did not have to spend time upon internal union disputes when we have so many battles to fight with the Government and employers, but trade union democracy is a non-negotiable necessity.

We cannot resist the attacks upon our members unless we do so as a democratic trade union.

So now would be a good time for all those who oppose annual democracy, or the rights of Conference delegates, or the principle of the election of our General Secretary to themselves go away to a very quiet place and never come back.