Last night I spoke at a Newham UNISON rally in support of their suspended Branch Chair, Michael Gavan (2nd from left). Unusually, the rally was in the Stratford Picture House (cinema - right photo) and had the film director Ken Loach (middle) as the guest speaker. Ken had allowed his latest film “It’s a Free World” to be shown and have its British premier that night to help Newham branch.
Now, I have already made it clear that I do not support Michael’s political beliefs (he is the Chair of Newham Respect), however, he is the senior democratically elected UNISON branch officer in Newham (local government) with an excellent reputation for defending members in discipline or sickness hearings.
I think that everyone accepts that trade union reps are accountable for their actions; but, Michael has been accused by management in Newham Council of two counts of “gross misconduct”. These should be very serious and substantiated allegations. But it is clear to me that the actual charges made against Michael are just simply nonsensical and in no way justify suspension or charges of gross misconduct. I first heard in detail about the allegations from non UNISON sources.
This is now an "official" dispute and a strike ballot has been authorised and I have no doubt that there is the potential for prolonged and damaging strike action to take place.
In his speech Ken, was as usual, rather uncomplimentary about the Labour Party. I think he is just plain wrong about these particular views. For example I don’t actually think that Gordon Brown (for all his mistakes) is engaged in a conspiracy to stop migrant workers being paid the minimum wage in order to keep inflation down. In fact I am absolute confident that the opposite is true. Despite this we could all agree that Michael is being treated very unfairly.
Also present was UNISON NEC member Irene Stacey (far left - speaker and secretary of Newham branch), UNISON NEC member Kim Silver (Newham) and Councillor (Tower Hamlets) Bill Turner (member Newham UNISON) amongst others. It was nice to speak from the same platform as my good comrade, Jon Rogers (UNISON NEC).
During his speech Ken turned round and looked at me and said that he hoped the unions would not “cut and run” in their support for Michael. Something he thought that British trade unions were prone to do. He had a big beaming smile while he said this, I didn’t take offence. Mind you afterwards I had to apologise to him for not staying and seeing the film since I had to go to another meeting. He laughed, I laughed…. I did mention on the way out that it was a Newham Labour Party selection meeting. Nobody seemed to mind.
By coincidence while I was finishing off this report I have just watched the BBC2 “Newsnight” feature on the current problems in “Respect”.
Off tomorrow to Labour Party conference.
3 comments:
John.
Get to a TV Monday night. Ken Loach's film is on CH 4 about nine if you want to see it.
I think Gordon Brown but more so Tony Blair presided over an economy where migrant Labour presents a new challange for Trade Unions.You have to ask yourself what has given unscroupulous employers the power to exploit these vulnerable workers.I believe our Labour party has done little to protect migrant labour and local workers.Let me explain.
There are many documented examples of exploitation and in the ten years of Labour Government , the minimum wage and the Gangmasters licensing Authority have not stopped the scourge of exploitation. I believe the situation has got worse. I think we need to ask the question why this is.
I think Loach enters this debate and his film I believe is very much a reflection of the society we live in.
What I think Loach is saying is that Migrant Labour is being used by Employers to drive down wages and conditions, especially in the construction industry but also in logistics and agriculture.
In construction I have noticed brickies forcing to take wage cuts because of how employers use the threat of replacing workers with economic migrants.The problem is the employer, not the migrant worker who is earning far more that what he/she would in say Poland.As for the Employer, as long as he pays the minimum wage he thinks its ok.There is no protection at the moment to protect existing wage rates if its say set at £10-£15 per hour (which is what some craftsmen earn, in some instances more). You can imagine that this causes tension against the migrant worker and not against the employer who is taken advantage of this situation.
Then again the employer has the law to fall back on to protect himself against workers who organise to protect their T's and C's.I think it is outrageous that this situation has developed under a Labour Government, who are meant to protect workers, who hide behind statements like 'embracing globalisation'or 'facing up to the challenges of globalisation'.You only have to look at the detail of the new EU 'constitution'for example, to see how this situation will get worse if Labour continues its current path.
I could go on and on about this.
I am not going to the LP conference, but I am going to the Unite demo on Sunday.
Look for the tall bald bloke!!!
Ian
Hi Ian
Look out for grey haired middle age bloke (probably with hangover)
John
I very much support the stand you have taken in support of Michael Gavan. Like you I am a Labour Party member, but there are vital issues of free trade unionism at stake here and trade unionists and socialists of whatever political hue need to stand together on this one.
Enjoy the conference.
Adrian (West Ham)
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