Solidarity: Officers vote YES to strike action!
Our union’s Officers have overwhelmingly voted YES to industrial action, leaving Sharon Graham facing a second strike of union employees during her time in office. It’s time to reunite and end the toxicity which is dividing our union.
The ballot was conducted by the Unite Officer’s branch, organised by Community as the recognised and legitimate independent union.
· YES: 85%
· Turnout: 80%
Reunite stands in total solidarity with the Officers in their fight to defend genuine collective bargaining, just as we did the staff dispute. The branch have now tabled a three point plan to resolve the dispute stating: “We have made clear on repeated occasions that this dispute could be easily resolved however the Unite leadership to date have refused to undertake the actions necessary to resolve this.”
Self-defeating intransigence is a familiar trait of Sharon Graham’s management.
It is the same approach which resulted in picket lines outside Holborn against a ‘toxic bullying culture,' complete with a 'counter-demo' led by Graham’s self-styled enforcer Chris Stiles and our union’s Organising Director Tayra Lopes-Lister. This resulted from the BDSU researchers simply requesting a meeting with their line management over grading.
It is the same approach which forced members of our Executive Council to turn to the Certification Officer to compel Sharon Graham’s management team to disclose our union’s finances.
Politically, the same intransigence has led Sharon Graham to remain silent on Reform’s direct attack on our union and our members.
Industrially, the same intransigence has led important disputes to defeat. For example, the nearly six month strike at Bakkavor in Spalding ended in members having to accept the same percentage pay offer originally rejected at the start of the dispute. That dispute was continued from above, despite growing numbers of members crossing their own picket. From Veolia to Port Talbot, a pattern of behaviour repeats itself.
A pervasive culture of toxicity and division has been created in our union. It manifests in different ways, but the cause is the same.
Everyone in our union – from Officers, staff and Organisers, to workplace reps and members – must stand together.
Unity, solidarity and collectivism are not words to be bellowed from podiums but ignored in practice. They are our guiding principles for why we exist as a union and how we win.
To defend each other.
To defend our union.
It’s time to Reunite.
