UNITE NOWs latest missive (see below) has been sent far and wide presumably using the Unions database - something which United Left has always refrained from doing as it is against the Rules. We are dismayed and disappointed by UNITE NOWs tactic of turning their executive election campaign inwards into an attack on United Left which is divisive. We on the contrary have never public attacked our colleague UNITE members no matter what group they are in. As forward looking and visionary left trade unionists we see the enemy quite rightly to be external i.e. the ConDem Government, big business employers and the right wing media. UNITE members have recognised that - and the good work this union has been doing under Len McCluskeys leadership with a left Executive Council - by consistently voting for United Left candidates. Currently 48 out of 67 Executive Council members are associated with United Left (there are two vacant seats at present). With nominations now in for the next council (which reduces to 62 seats) it is clear that United Left candidates once more are leading the field and UNITE NOW has failed to achieve their expected levels. Perhaps this explains why they now try to attack United left itself. Firstly their claims are not even true. United Left operates by discussion and consensus and has never mandated its exec members to vote one way or the other. The nodding donkey allegation is groundless. Indeed United Left members did not vote as one on the Collins Review on the special Executive on 13th February. Nor is it true that we all sit there and say nothing. Every single exec member on United Left has contributed to the discussion at some point during the term. But we do exercise self-discipline and do not speak one after the other repeating what has already been said. Is that what UNITE NOW want to happen? Well no, because there attacks are simply cheap and groundless and designed to mislead. We are proud of the achievements of this union under a left leadership - Len McCluskey and the United Left -led executive council. We are rebuilding a UNITE which is far better than its predecessors and committed to putting the resources where it matters - supporting the members. We have taken difficult decisions and achieved financial stability in the face of incredible challenges whilst still delivering the best fighting back union in the country. Our £30 per day strike pay, £25M+ dispute fund, our fantastic initiatives on leverage, our organising strategy which is delivering real growth once more, plus a vibrant international presence and link-up with unions around the world has put UNITE at the forefront of the UK and European trade union movement. It was United Left that took the initiative and led on these issues - and drove forward our political strategy to win back the Labour Party (no more blank cheques) and to fight austerity -no to any ConDem spending cuts. We also led the way with the new Community membership and much more. UNITE NOW have not opposed very much of this and we have attempted to work with them and create a united executive council driving these changes forward. Martin Mayer Chair United Left
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 12:01:14 +0000
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