The Amicus Unity Gazette Editorial Board would like to thank Laurence Faircloth for the principled position he has taken in withdrawing his candidature for the election of Amicus Section Joint General Secretary. This was done in consultation with the Editorial Board following a review of the campaign after the closure of nominations. Although Laurence had received sufficient nominations to stand in the election, it was clear that he had not won enough support to mount a credible challenge.
Having reviewed the nomination figures, the assessment of the Editorial Board is that Jerry Hicks and Paul Reuter do not stand a realistic chance of winning, and therefore the members are faced with a stark choice between Derek Simpson and Kevin Coyne. Derek Simpson is the incumbent JGS and will retire in two years; Kevin Coyne is the darling of the anti-Union Murdoch press and is being lined up as the right wing candidate of the future. Voting for Derek Simpson is by far the better option for the Left.
This statement was agreed by a majority vote on the Gazette Editorial Board. We recognise that there are people on the Editorial Board and among our rank and file members who now want to support Jerry. In view of this, and in view of the difficulties in convening a properly constituted Gazette supporters meeting to resolve the issue before the election, we accept that we cannot seek to impose this decision through the discipline of the Left. Nonetheless, it is the recommendation of the majority of the Editorial Board.
Vote for Simpson – Stop Coyne !
Monday, 2 February 2009
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Unite Statement on the Situation in Gaza
Unanimously adopted by the Unite Executive Council, January 2009.
The Gazette Editorial Board encourage supporters to raise this statement at work to help raise solidarity with Palestine.
Unite’s EC deplores the fact that since Israel’s military offensive in Gaza began on December 24th 2008 over nine hundred Palestinians have been killed of whom 292 are children (UN OCHA Report 12/01/2009). The Government of Israel has ignored the UN Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009) which ”calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”
The UN high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, the United Nations most senior human rights official, has stated that Israeli military may have committed war crimes in Gaza.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (12/01/2009) Resolution on the Grave Violations of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestine Territory particularly due to the recent Israeli military attacks against the occupied Gaza Strip, calls for an immediate ceasefire and condemns “the massive violations of Human Rights of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure.” The UN Resolution also demands the immediate withdrawal of Israel’s military forces from Gaza.
The EC is further appalled that Israel’s blockade of Gaza has now continued for over eighteen months preventing vital supplies, including food and medicine, from reaching the people of Gaza.
The Israeli Government has acted in contravention of the IV Geneva Convention by imposing collective punishment on the people of Gaza. The World Health Organisation and other aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and have called for an immediate ceasefire. Furthermore the International Committee of the Red Cross has accused Israel of failing to honour its obligation under international law to treat and evacuate injured civilians in Gaza. The situation has led Amnesty International to call for an immediate humanitarian truce.
The Unite EC therefore resolves:
• To demand an end to Israel’s military attacks and immediate withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and for Israel to lift its siege of Gaza.
• To demand a halt to the bombardment of Israeli targets by missiles fired from Gaza by Hamas.
• To demand that the British government unequivocally condemns the Israeli military aggression.
• To demand the British government ends arms sales to Israel noting the sale of more than £18.8 million worth of British arms to Israel in 2008, up from £7.5 million in 2007.
• To call for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Agreement providing preferential trade facilities to Israel.
• To support demonstrations against Israel’s attack on Gaza, and to encourage our members to attend.
• To encourage our members to boycott goods, and especially agricultural produce, produced in the illegal
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories.
• To investigate Unite’s holdings in companies engaged in building the Wall declared illegal by the International Court of Justice and to divest from them.
• To encourage branches to affiliate to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Stop the War Coalition.
• To encourage donations to TUC Gaza Appeal and other relevant initiatives such as Medical Aid for Palestinians and to agree a donation of £5000 to the TUC appeal.
• To agree to make a donation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to further the objectives of the campaign on Gaza of £1000.
The Gazette Editorial Board encourage supporters to raise this statement at work to help raise solidarity with Palestine.
Unite’s EC deplores the fact that since Israel’s military offensive in Gaza began on December 24th 2008 over nine hundred Palestinians have been killed of whom 292 are children (UN OCHA Report 12/01/2009). The Government of Israel has ignored the UN Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009) which ”calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”
The UN high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, the United Nations most senior human rights official, has stated that Israeli military may have committed war crimes in Gaza.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (12/01/2009) Resolution on the Grave Violations of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestine Territory particularly due to the recent Israeli military attacks against the occupied Gaza Strip, calls for an immediate ceasefire and condemns “the massive violations of Human Rights of the Palestinian people and the systematic destruction of the Palestinian infrastructure.” The UN Resolution also demands the immediate withdrawal of Israel’s military forces from Gaza.
The EC is further appalled that Israel’s blockade of Gaza has now continued for over eighteen months preventing vital supplies, including food and medicine, from reaching the people of Gaza.
The Israeli Government has acted in contravention of the IV Geneva Convention by imposing collective punishment on the people of Gaza. The World Health Organisation and other aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and have called for an immediate ceasefire. Furthermore the International Committee of the Red Cross has accused Israel of failing to honour its obligation under international law to treat and evacuate injured civilians in Gaza. The situation has led Amnesty International to call for an immediate humanitarian truce.
The Unite EC therefore resolves:
• To demand an end to Israel’s military attacks and immediate withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and for Israel to lift its siege of Gaza.
• To demand a halt to the bombardment of Israeli targets by missiles fired from Gaza by Hamas.
• To demand that the British government unequivocally condemns the Israeli military aggression.
• To demand the British government ends arms sales to Israel noting the sale of more than £18.8 million worth of British arms to Israel in 2008, up from £7.5 million in 2007.
• To call for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Agreement providing preferential trade facilities to Israel.
• To support demonstrations against Israel’s attack on Gaza, and to encourage our members to attend.
• To encourage our members to boycott goods, and especially agricultural produce, produced in the illegal
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories.
• To investigate Unite’s holdings in companies engaged in building the Wall declared illegal by the International Court of Justice and to divest from them.
• To encourage branches to affiliate to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Stop the War Coalition.
• To encourage donations to TUC Gaza Appeal and other relevant initiatives such as Medical Aid for Palestinians and to agree a donation of £5000 to the TUC appeal.
• To agree to make a donation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to further the objectives of the campaign on Gaza of £1000.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
United Left Launch Meeting
The T&G Broad Left and AMICUS Unity Gazette have agreed to merge to create the UNITED LEFT - the largest single left organisation in the British and Irish trade union movement.
The left launch meeting is open to all progressive activists in UNITE (both T&G and AMICUS sections).
The meeting will elect leading officers and debate a draft UNITED LEFT Founding Statement of Aims and Principles. This follows considerable discussions between AMICUS Unity Gazette and T&G Broad Left over the last 12 months.
The welcoming address will be given by Campaign Group MP, John McDonnell. John has been at the center of many high profile campaigns involving UNITE members. The meeting presents us with an opportunity to bring together activists from each campaign.
The conference will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday 21st February 2009 in the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BB.
Please distribute widely among supporters and encourage maximum attendance
The left launch meeting is open to all progressive activists in UNITE (both T&G and AMICUS sections).
The meeting will elect leading officers and debate a draft UNITED LEFT Founding Statement of Aims and Principles. This follows considerable discussions between AMICUS Unity Gazette and T&G Broad Left over the last 12 months.
The welcoming address will be given by Campaign Group MP, John McDonnell. John has been at the center of many high profile campaigns involving UNITE members. The meeting presents us with an opportunity to bring together activists from each campaign.
The conference will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday 21st February 2009 in the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BB.
Please distribute widely among supporters and encourage maximum attendance
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Laurence Faircloth withdraws from the election
Laurence Faircloth has withdrawn from the election for JGS. He thanks all of the branches, chapels, workplace reps and members who nominated him and the Amicus Unity Gazette for their support.
The decision to stand down was made after consultation with the Editorial Board.
The Amicus Unity Gazette Editorial Board will make a fuller statement on the election in due course.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Laurence standing to win!
Laurence Faircloth has received a number of calls and e mails from officers, staff and workplace representatives asking if he intends to withdraw from the Amicus JGS election.
Gazette supporters are reminded that Laurence was the first candidate to declare that he would be seeking support to stand in this election and we have, to date received fantastic support from workplaces and branches with nominations.
These rumors are intended to undermine our campaign, and Laurence has stated that he is standing in this election to win.
For further information on Laurences campaign visit -
http://www.faircloth4gs.com/
Gazette supporters are reminded that Laurence was the first candidate to declare that he would be seeking support to stand in this election and we have, to date received fantastic support from workplaces and branches with nominations.
These rumors are intended to undermine our campaign, and Laurence has stated that he is standing in this election to win.
For further information on Laurences campaign visit -
http://www.faircloth4gs.com/
Monday, 10 November 2008
Laurence Faircloth For Amicus JGS
Why am I standing?
The most important issue facing our union is how we face up to the worst economic recession for decades. Many members face job cuts, short-time working or attacks on pay and conditions. Defending our members must be the top priority for every union officer and activist.
Instead we have an election for General Secretary of the Amicus section. This is a complete distraction. So why is this election taking place? Because if Derek Simpson is to defer his retirement for a year, until he is 66, under law he must face an election.
Back in 2002, I supported Derek Simpson when he stood against Ken Jackson and won the General Secretary election in the old AEEU. He was then committed to an activist union where lay members came first. Derek challenged Ken Jackson for wanting to go on beyond retirement age.
Faced with a similar legal challenge, Derek Simpson has put his own personal ambition before the interests of the union membership and forced this election.
Unite can be a great union. Members from Amicus and TGWU sections have been inspired by victories like the Shell tanker drivers, and by Unite flags and banners on protests and picket lines. It’s urgent that we complete the merger of Amicus and TGWU to build a strong union that delivers for all its members.
It’s a tragedy that Derek Simpson has over the last year obstructed the integration process time and again. The integration of union structures, officer assignments, education, and organising have all been obstructed. It’s a tragedy that he’s continuing this by insisting on the election – delaying the launch of a single united union by at least six months.
I believe passionately in the merger. We cannot afford to have Derek re-elected if it is only to strengthen his personal ambition and further hinder integration. We need to move forward with building a strong union now.
As Regional Secretary for the South West Region, and for the North West Region before that, I have a track record on building strong union organisation. I’ve made sure the resources are there when members need them. A strong union also means an integrated union, where Amicus and TGWU members work together. Our interests are exactly the same. I’ve worked hard with activists from both sections to progress the merger and build a union we can be proud of. I make the same commitment, to drive forward to build a strong united union, if elected as Amicus General Secretary.
I am proud to have the support of Amicus Unity Gazette.
What I stand for
• A single united merger, bringing together the Amicus and TGWU sections on a tight timescale. The union will be far stronger when our members can work together in every industrial sector. All officers must be able to support members, without artificial barriers about members belonging to the ‘wrong’ predecessor union. We urgently need a single membership system and a single well-managed financial system.
• Lay democracy and accountability at every level of the union, taking the best practices from the TGWU and Amicus and their predecessor unions. Officers must be accountable to lay members through the union structures. Agreements with employers should never be made behind the backs of members. Democracy and accountability require information. I’ll ensure that branches and lay committees receive the information from the union they need, ending the current veil of secrecy.
• An end to centralised control in the union. We need more regional autonomy to make decisions and control the resources to carry them out. This is a necessity for Scotland, Wales and Ireland with their different government structures. The TGWU model of Regional delivery of education has worked well, and should be implemented across the union. I strongly support an ‘organising model’ of trade unionism but this is best implemented where priorities are determined by lay members at national and regional levels.
• The election of full-time officers is something I have always supported. Election makes officers accountable to members rather than the Union hierarchy. I will initiate a debate on this across the Union so that proposals can be brought forward to the first Rules Conference for the election of future officers.
• Political funds should be directed to candidates who support our policies. I am a long standing Labour Party member – and I believe the Labour Government has not met the aspirations of trade unionists. On too many issues Labour has ignored our members and been too close to the interests of big business. Why is it that a nationalised Northern Rock leads the way in repossessing homes, and now threatens thousands of our members with redundancy? We need to look at how we fund the Labour Party. We should use our political funds at regional level, supporting the candidates who back our policies. It’s time to end the practice of giving the national Labour Party millions of pounds every year with no strings attached.
• The union must be a campaigning union. We must end the anti-trade union legislation that prevents us adequately supporting our members in dispute with their employers. We want Government resources diverted from bailouts for the rich towards funding education, health, and housing instead. We must oppose privatisation and the idea that ‘the market’ is the best way to run things. Defending jobs means just that – not having the negotiation of voluntary redundancy terms as the starting point every time.
• Equality for all has to be at the cornerstone of Unite. Hundreds of thousands of our members face discrimination – at work or in wider society - because of their race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, or religion. The whole union must fight to reverse that discrimination. I will ensure that all minorities have the structures available to them in the union to enable their voices to be heard.
• International trade unionism – real internationalism that’s about fighting for our members in an age of globalisation. Internationalism isn’t about round the world jaunts for those at the top of the union – it’s at its best when union members in one country can provide real solidarity to fellow union members in dispute in another. We will not be able to do that until we have won the political fight in this country to allow secondary action in industrial disputes.
• No intimidation, bullying, or harassment within our union. Debate and disagreement are part of trade unionism. Our members, activists and officers must be able to express their views freely.
• Unite: a fighting union. I want every member to know that their union will always be there to defend them at work and outside work. I want a union with a Unite culture not an Amicus or TGWU one. Together we can make this pledge a reality.
Laurence Faircloth
Download the election leaflet
The most important issue facing our union is how we face up to the worst economic recession for decades. Many members face job cuts, short-time working or attacks on pay and conditions. Defending our members must be the top priority for every union officer and activist.
Instead we have an election for General Secretary of the Amicus section. This is a complete distraction. So why is this election taking place? Because if Derek Simpson is to defer his retirement for a year, until he is 66, under law he must face an election.
Back in 2002, I supported Derek Simpson when he stood against Ken Jackson and won the General Secretary election in the old AEEU. He was then committed to an activist union where lay members came first. Derek challenged Ken Jackson for wanting to go on beyond retirement age.
Faced with a similar legal challenge, Derek Simpson has put his own personal ambition before the interests of the union membership and forced this election.
Unite can be a great union. Members from Amicus and TGWU sections have been inspired by victories like the Shell tanker drivers, and by Unite flags and banners on protests and picket lines. It’s urgent that we complete the merger of Amicus and TGWU to build a strong union that delivers for all its members.
It’s a tragedy that Derek Simpson has over the last year obstructed the integration process time and again. The integration of union structures, officer assignments, education, and organising have all been obstructed. It’s a tragedy that he’s continuing this by insisting on the election – delaying the launch of a single united union by at least six months.
I believe passionately in the merger. We cannot afford to have Derek re-elected if it is only to strengthen his personal ambition and further hinder integration. We need to move forward with building a strong union now.
As Regional Secretary for the South West Region, and for the North West Region before that, I have a track record on building strong union organisation. I’ve made sure the resources are there when members need them. A strong union also means an integrated union, where Amicus and TGWU members work together. Our interests are exactly the same. I’ve worked hard with activists from both sections to progress the merger and build a union we can be proud of. I make the same commitment, to drive forward to build a strong united union, if elected as Amicus General Secretary.
I am proud to have the support of Amicus Unity Gazette.
What I stand for
• A single united merger, bringing together the Amicus and TGWU sections on a tight timescale. The union will be far stronger when our members can work together in every industrial sector. All officers must be able to support members, without artificial barriers about members belonging to the ‘wrong’ predecessor union. We urgently need a single membership system and a single well-managed financial system.
• Lay democracy and accountability at every level of the union, taking the best practices from the TGWU and Amicus and their predecessor unions. Officers must be accountable to lay members through the union structures. Agreements with employers should never be made behind the backs of members. Democracy and accountability require information. I’ll ensure that branches and lay committees receive the information from the union they need, ending the current veil of secrecy.
• An end to centralised control in the union. We need more regional autonomy to make decisions and control the resources to carry them out. This is a necessity for Scotland, Wales and Ireland with their different government structures. The TGWU model of Regional delivery of education has worked well, and should be implemented across the union. I strongly support an ‘organising model’ of trade unionism but this is best implemented where priorities are determined by lay members at national and regional levels.
• The election of full-time officers is something I have always supported. Election makes officers accountable to members rather than the Union hierarchy. I will initiate a debate on this across the Union so that proposals can be brought forward to the first Rules Conference for the election of future officers.
• Political funds should be directed to candidates who support our policies. I am a long standing Labour Party member – and I believe the Labour Government has not met the aspirations of trade unionists. On too many issues Labour has ignored our members and been too close to the interests of big business. Why is it that a nationalised Northern Rock leads the way in repossessing homes, and now threatens thousands of our members with redundancy? We need to look at how we fund the Labour Party. We should use our political funds at regional level, supporting the candidates who back our policies. It’s time to end the practice of giving the national Labour Party millions of pounds every year with no strings attached.
• The union must be a campaigning union. We must end the anti-trade union legislation that prevents us adequately supporting our members in dispute with their employers. We want Government resources diverted from bailouts for the rich towards funding education, health, and housing instead. We must oppose privatisation and the idea that ‘the market’ is the best way to run things. Defending jobs means just that – not having the negotiation of voluntary redundancy terms as the starting point every time.
• Equality for all has to be at the cornerstone of Unite. Hundreds of thousands of our members face discrimination – at work or in wider society - because of their race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, or religion. The whole union must fight to reverse that discrimination. I will ensure that all minorities have the structures available to them in the union to enable their voices to be heard.
• International trade unionism – real internationalism that’s about fighting for our members in an age of globalisation. Internationalism isn’t about round the world jaunts for those at the top of the union – it’s at its best when union members in one country can provide real solidarity to fellow union members in dispute in another. We will not be able to do that until we have won the political fight in this country to allow secondary action in industrial disputes.
• No intimidation, bullying, or harassment within our union. Debate and disagreement are part of trade unionism. Our members, activists and officers must be able to express their views freely.
• Unite: a fighting union. I want every member to know that their union will always be there to defend them at work and outside work. I want a union with a Unite culture not an Amicus or TGWU one. Together we can make this pledge a reality.
Laurence Faircloth
Download the election leaflet
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Gazette selects Laurence Faircloth for General Secretary Election
Nominations are now open for the election for a UNITE Joint General Secretary from the Amicus section, for a 1-year term of office from 23rd December 2009 to 23rd December 2010.
The Gazette believes that this is an election we could have done without. We opposed the legal challenge to the union and opposed the consequent rule change which enabled this election. However, the election is now taking place.
At an open national meeting on Saturday 1st November, Gazette supporters debated how to respond to the election. We agreed a It was overwhelmingly agreed to select Laurence Faircloth as the Gazette candidate. Laurence is standing for election on the basis of Gazette policies - promoting a union controlled by the members and which is not afraid to fight back.
In a context where jobs are being lost by the thousand, Gazette supporters believe we need a candidate who can relate to the real problems our members face across the union. The recession and credit crunch are having a real impact on jobs. Laurence has pledged to support our members resisting job losses and where necessary, has said he will challenge the New Labour Government where it is clear our members’ interests are not being taken into account.
He has confirmed that he will be standing on the basis of Gazette policies, such as:
* A vigorous response to the economic crisis, in particular fighting job losses
* Support for election of officers and increased accountability to the lay-member structures of the union
* Only supporting Labour MP’s who support the policies of our Union
* Stopping the unconditional handing over vast sums centrally to the Labour Party, in favour of making contributions regionally.
The Gazette believes that this is an election we could have done without. We opposed the legal challenge to the union and opposed the consequent rule change which enabled this election. However, the election is now taking place.
At an open national meeting on Saturday 1st November, Gazette supporters debated how to respond to the election. We agreed a It was overwhelmingly agreed to select Laurence Faircloth as the Gazette candidate. Laurence is standing for election on the basis of Gazette policies - promoting a union controlled by the members and which is not afraid to fight back.
In a context where jobs are being lost by the thousand, Gazette supporters believe we need a candidate who can relate to the real problems our members face across the union. The recession and credit crunch are having a real impact on jobs. Laurence has pledged to support our members resisting job losses and where necessary, has said he will challenge the New Labour Government where it is clear our members’ interests are not being taken into account.
He has confirmed that he will be standing on the basis of Gazette policies, such as:
* A vigorous response to the economic crisis, in particular fighting job losses
* Support for election of officers and increased accountability to the lay-member structures of the union
* Only supporting Labour MP’s who support the policies of our Union
* Stopping the unconditional handing over vast sums centrally to the Labour Party, in favour of making contributions regionally.
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