Jerry Hicks

The following is the text of the Grass Roots Left leaflet to the UNITE rules revision conference in June 2011. Unfortunately, the motion was defeated so the 'appointment' system for officials continues:

‘Election of officials’ a much fairer system and more democratic
Please support the motion for the ‘Election of all officials’
For Unite to be truly democratic and encourage full lay member participation, we need the election of all officials.
The members should decide who represents them, not an individual or a panel. Elected by the members and accountable to the members.
The need for this has never been greater as the gap between our Union and it’s members has never wider.
The most shocking examples being that a massive 92% of members did not take part in the vote to elect the NEC and the missing million members from the ballot to elect the General Secretary. Remarkably, little is said or written about this horrendous situation.
The disconnected, disengaged and disaffected one million members need to feel they own the union lock stock and barrel. After all its our union dues that pay for the offices, the officials, the wages, the cars, the mobile phone bills, the pensions and the privilege.
In the last few months we have witnessed the ‘big shuffle round’ of promotions and appointments, jobs being handed out and taken away. Some of which not were even advertised, and all at the cost of shed loads of members’ money without one vote at all.
The election of officials means an end to the ‘here today gone tomorrow’ officials who, depending on the whim, fancy or political persuasion of the General Secretary are moved around the regions and sectors.
Only the members who elect the official to represent them for their region and sector will have that power.
We trust members to elect reps – Committees - The NEC – and the
General Secretary. Now let’s trust them to elect their full time officials.

“Elections mean that only those from big workplaces ever get to be officials”.
We wish that there were still the 10,000 or 20.000 member workplaces but sadly most are long gone. Besides, just take a look at those that are appointed and check where they come from. You’ll find it’s mostly from ‘big workplaces’.
The big difference is that members didn’t choose them!

“What member would risk giving up their job if they were elected, if it meant that in 5 years’ time and they failed to be re-elected they were then out of work?”
Fair question? I bet a million of our members would love to have the guarantee of at least 5 years’ pay - which is what being elected actually means. But try arguing with our members that an appointed ‘job for life’ in the union is fair. Good luck to you!
Besides, historically the overwhelming majority of elected officials go on to be re-elected. This happens primarily because, for the previous 5 years, they have prioritised members’ interests, not the wishes of a panel or the General Secretary.

“We won’t get the ‘right’ people with elections”.
I am sure the employers say that about our reps. What they and the union mean by this is they might not get their ‘right’ people.
But the majority of members will not only get the person that they choose but also importantly, the person they know.
Arguments against elections just don’t stand up to scrutiny
Please support the motion for the ‘Election of all officials’