tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post645182751778746823..comments2023-04-28T05:24:31.895-07:00Comments on Nurse Boothroyd: Statement on Unison London Regions treatment of NHS activistMark Boothroydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12094074237479594879noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post-29801400033922984402016-08-11T15:35:56.835-07:002016-08-11T15:35:56.835-07:00I wrote this in November last year in response to ...I wrote this in November last year in response to an invite to a London UNISIN Left meeting. I never got a reply and as far as I am aware (I take no interest in UNISON matters anymore,) the same despicable shower remain in control.<br /><br />I have been a UNISON member for many years and NALGO before that, but never until comparatively recently a rep or an activist. I was in Hackney from 1988 until 2003. During that time colleagues and friends of mine were voted into Branch positions and they turned it around from being an ineffective, corrupt clique to a strong campaigning Branch with grass roots members interests centre stage. It was then for the first time that I witnessed the corrupt, political bullying tactics of the London Region officers towards principled and committed activists and I could not believe what I was seeing. Despite overwhelming support from the members our officers got more grief from our own union than the did from the employer who was driving through massive cuts at the time. Members were having their jobs deleted on maternity leave yet the Region failed to support them. Instead I recall the Branch Secretary at the time was threatened with disciplinary action for 'abusing the Council's email system' for sending an email out to all members who had been treated in thus way so we could support them. No support I recall from region.<br /><br />The Branch organised and built a substantial campaign where many of us who were dismissed from our existing contracts and signed new ones under duress took these dismissals to the Employment Tribunal. No support from our union so we had to use members own legal insurances policies to get legal support and in the end the Branch Secretary had to conduct the case himself which went on for nearly a week - and a great job he made of it too.<br /><br />When I moved jobs and went to Westminster Council in 2003 I was inspired by the efforts of the Hackney Branch and decided to become a steward myself and so got more involved in the Union and had contact with other reps elsewhere in London. It was then that I realised that what I had witnessed at Hackney was the rule of thumb throughout the whole of London, both in the local government sector and health sector, what I came to refer to as the 'Jimmy Saville' scenario of the union movement - everyone knows what's going on but no one has the guts to do anything about it. Disillusioned members, often let down personally by this shower despite the honourable efforts of dedicated local activists and Branch Officers , leave in droves. The activists themselves worn down and bullied relentlessly.<br /><br />When Unison suddenly came out in support of Jeremy Corbyn I couldn't believe my ears because the thing that most of those who fell foul of the regional mafia had in common (including myself in a small way) was that they shared many of the principles and outlook that is now associated with the movement that has arisen out of Corbyn's leadership campaign and acted on them in good faith.<br /><br />If there really has been a sea change in Unison then the proof of the pudding must be in the eating. Those who have consistently behaved in the way I have described - and we all know who they are - must be held to account for their behaviour. If they are employees of the union they should be shown the door. We owe nothing less to the many dedicated people who fought on despite great personal cost in some cases I am aware of to themselves for no other reason than they believed that a union was there to represent and be led by its membership.<br /><br />Rob Sale<br />Unison Member (Retired)<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11518571929995609854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post-13555310991302317322014-05-16T01:54:17.966-07:002014-05-16T01:54:17.966-07:00Thanks for providing such a useful and updated inf...Thanks for providing such a useful and updated information.<a href="http://www.skindelhi.com/hair_transplant.html" rel="nofollow">hair transplant in gurgaon</a><br /><br />Allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04414023777592108747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post-84593607301226870942014-05-05T13:10:31.250-07:002014-05-05T13:10:31.250-07:00I know this might not be something you want to do,...I know this might not be something you want to do, given that there is safety in numbers, solidarity etc...but have you considered joining and organising for another trade union?lornesausagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636352969674817810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post-43663842336043805302014-05-04T16:21:53.455-07:002014-05-04T16:21:53.455-07:00Rediculous behaviour on their part. I'm a memb...Rediculous behaviour on their part. I'm a member of Unison and the RCN though after seeing this I think I'll be cancelling one of those memberships and I can tell you which one it ain't that's for sure. Awful, So sorry you've had to go through thisTom Teehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02552814604591738158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post-26143263496260457912014-05-02T20:53:44.070-07:002014-05-02T20:53:44.070-07:00Your case brings so many memories back for me. I a...Your case brings so many memories back for me. I am (as far as I am aware) the only non fascist that has had to take UNISON to court in order to get to join. In fact, when the case was at court (to consider whether I had a case) i faced 3 unison paid lawyers who opposed me joining. I represented myself. When the chair ruled in my favour stating that I had a legitimate case to pursue he asked me if I wanted to claim damages. To my regret I said no as I only wanted to re-join. All this happened after I had served many years as Vice-chair of the National Nursing Sector Committee (I know Gail well) and also served as assistant regional Convenor of West Midland, and chair of the Regional health committee. Basically my life went downhill after I exposed significant financial corruption. LeftSpacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09465007880815596459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25391958343330345.post-7946939492265527322014-05-02T09:08:37.648-07:002014-05-02T09:08:37.648-07:00Shocked... but given that Unison is currently runn...Shocked... but given that Unison is currently running recruitment ads on TV, that don't even mention that Unison is a Trade Union, I shouldn't be surprised at all. Good luck with your campaign!Kate Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08788180717656252691noreply@blogger.com