The incredible lightness of London Region UNISON in the health service

I wouldn’t want readers of this blog in the bowels of Congress House to think that I shall completely ignore the Greater London Region of UNISON now that I am simply a member, rather than holding any office.

Indeed, I was about to send greetings of solidarity in connection with the strike action by Serco employees in London’s health service. Low paid cleaners and security staff have voted by an awe inspiring 99% for strike action at the Barts NHS Trust.

Unfortunately (for UNISON) these strikers are not being led by UNISON. Indeed the activist quoted in the news report to which I link above, an admirable trade unionist and old friend of your blogger, Len Hockey, is one of many good activists hounded out of UNISON in London into the waiting arms of UNITE.

Whilst cries of sub judice may be raised if anyone moves to discipline members of the Regional Management Team in Greater London who colluded with the gross misconduct of the former Regional Secretary, it remains the case that the current regime in the Region will continue to ensure that UNISON does not play a leading role in important struggles for workplace justice.

It is a shame that the energy devoted by paid UNISON offiicals to securing nominations from London health branches in the General Secretary election is not devoted to organising the workforce and fighting for workers’ rights.