The results
of the UNISON NEC elections are out.
I am particularly pleased
that Sean Fox has won the seat which I have held for the past fourteen years in
the Greater London Region, and that my comrades Sonya Howard and Helen Davies
have held their seats, so that London has elected three out of four left
wingers (with the left winning once more in every contested seat).
At a time when we have an
opportunity for UNISON to cleanse
the Augean stables at Congress House it is good to see that UNISON members
have elected (and re-elected) democrats and socialists who are committed to
that task to represent the Region on the NEC.
Looking at the results
nationally I am sorry to see the departure from the NEC of my friends and
comrades Jonathan Dunning, Adrian Kennett, Sarah Littlewood and Dave Auger all
of whom have served our trade union with distinction during their tenure on its
ruling body.
However, I am encouraged to
see that there are more candidates elected from the democratic left than ever
before – indeed the only thing that holds those of us who believe in effective
and democratic trade unions back from being in the majority is that we simply
don’t stand enough candidates.
Those who determine the
actions of our trade union at a national level have, once more, an opportunity
to reach out to and include their critical friends on the left and I would like
to think that they will take this opportunity. I will not, however, hold my breath.
Some people are just so
easily upset.
The indications are that the
turnout in the elections continues to decline and this is something to which
the incoming NEC must turn its attention, as they will have to consider the
recommendations made by the Assistant Certification Officer in relation to the
future of our democracy (our response to which will be the first test of the
incoming NEC next month). Our trade union is not thriving and change is
overdue.
No comments:
Post a Comment