The other election that is taking place in the Labour movement is that of General Secretary of UNITE. I’m gong to list all the candidates on my site, as soon as their websites become available. If you know of any, please just let me know.
First off is Len McCluskey. His web site is linked in the side bar. Here’s a precis of his position from his web site:
“This election will set the culture, policy and shape of Unite for years to come. Unite has immense potential, as the biggest industrial organisation in Britain and Ireland, to advance the position of working people in general, and our members in particular.
But this election is taking place under circumstances none of us would have chosen – the worst economic slump of our lifetimes.
So our first priority is to make our union fit to fight the effects of this slump – this is no time to cower in a corner. My priorities are straight forward:
Protecting jobs, whether it be through negotiation, pressuring government to act, or supporting action taken by our members themselves.
Defending pay and conditions. Our members should not have to pay the price for the bankers’ greed in pay cuts or longer hours.
Extending Unite membership. Millions of people need union protection in this environment, and a bigger union is a stronger union for all its members.
This climate is a challenge to Unite itself. We must use our resources – your contributions – in support of those core priorities. That means eliminating the culture of wasteful spending and inefficient centralisation that has developed in some parts of our organisation.
Under my leadership, money, effort and officer/staff time will be focussed consistently on supporting our members at the sharp end. Developing a united, collective organisation and confidence that supports members at the workplace and organising new members will be the foundation for the Unite I want.
Our members want a decentralised, vibrant union at local level, not a bureaucratic centralised union. Officers supporting the membership, not members supporting a top-heavy union structure regardless of whether it delivers. Anyone who believes that a union like Unite can be run from an office in London needs to get out more.
Of course, what we do in other areas of work can be vital for our long-term future. So I will work to develop Workers Uniting, the global union we have formed with our colleagues in the USW in North America. Increasingly, what affects workers somewhere has an impact on workers everywhere.
With focus and a fighting spirit Unite can come out of this economic crisis stronger, fitter and poised to play an even bigger part in the life of Britain and Ireland.”
