Grassroots candidate for General Secretary of UNITE to speak in Ireland

national | worker & community struggles and protests | event notice Monday September 20, 2010 14:03 by JM

As part of his campaign for General Secretary of UNITE Jerry Hicks will be addressing a series of public meetings and visiting a number of workplaces across Ireland in the coming week (beginning the 27th September).

Press Release: Grassroots candidate for General Secretary of UNITE to speak in Ireland

Issued: Monday 20 September 2010

Unite the Union Britain and Ireland's largest and most influential trade union is gearing up for the election of its General Secretary. This election comes at a time when the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition is about to announce its plans for massive cuts to be set out in their Autumn Budget in October.

In Ireland the living standards of working people are under ferocious attack. In the south public sector workers have seen wage cuts of up to 20%. In the north they face a two year wage freeze – and that’s before the new budget is announced. Pension entitlements are being stolen, dole queues are lengthening and the whole idea of public health and education services is under attack. The promise was that this was the way to recovery – we can see how hollow that idea was. In Britain and the North the review of public spending is guaranteed to deliver the same misery.

All eyes will be on where any possible fight back may emanate. Given the size and make up of Unite, which represents over 1.5 million members in all sectors of the economy, this makes the election for the union’s General Secretary the most significant union election for decades.

Jerry Hicks is the grassroots candidate the other three being Assistant General Secretaries. Many are already saying that Jerry Hicks could become the first elected General Secretary of super-union ‘Unite’. Given the size and make up of Unite, it makes the election for the union’s General Secretary the most significant union election for decades.

As part of his campaign for General Secretary Jerry will be addressing a series of public meetings and visiting a number of workplaces across Ireland in the coming week (beginning the 27th September).

These include

Mid-Ulster - Monday 27th September (venue TBA)

Newry - Tuesday 28th (Newry Bus Depot)

Belfast - Wednesday 29th (Jury’s Hotel)

Dublin - Thursday 30th (The Teachers Club)

All meetings will begin at 7.30pm

All trade unionists and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Jerry will also be available for interview and for workplace visits during the day.

For further details contact tour organiser John McAnulty
tel: 00353830028959 or email: [email protected]

Jerry Hicks can be contacted direct by phone on 078 178 279 12
or by email: [email protected]

For more information visit www.jerryhicks4gs.com

Notes to Editors:

Jerry Hicks having come second in the election for Joint General Secretary, Amicus section of Unite (one million members) less than 18 months ago is thought by many to be a possible winner in this election of the whole Union. Especially as union insiders report increasing concern amongst senior officials that Unite members may reject candidates seen as too close to the previous Labour Government.

Jerry Hicks on future for UNITE
UNITE needs to be at the heart of a coalition of resistance standing up to the onslaught from employers and the government.

Our union needs to offer an alternative vision to that on offer from the Con-Dems. And that can’t simply be about backing Labour – they lost the election because they let down working people so badly over so many issues for so long.

We are facing the biggest attacks on working people in generations. UNITE needs to change fundamentally and urgently if members are going to beat these back successfully.

We can’t afford more of the same. We deserve better, we need a radical change in direction, and that’s what I’m offering.

Jerry Hicks on cuts

Jerry Hicks one of only four candidates for the General Secretary of Unite has made it clear where he stands on the issue of ‘cuts’.

He said “This is a crisis not of our making, we should not be paying one single penny, not losing one single job nor face any reduction in benefits or services”.

Jerry Hicks on BA dispute

The Sun newspaper recently published an article about Jerry’s support for the British Airways workers that are resisting attacks on their jobs, pay, conditions of work and their union rights. As the BA workers are represented by the UNITE union, the issue is clearly one that demands discussion in the General Secretary election campaign.

Below, is a section of the article from the Sun. It recognizes the significance of Jerry’s position on the British Airways dispute and his campaign for General Secretary.

An extremist hoping to run the Unite union has vowed to ground BRITISH AIRWAYS by taking ALL staff on strike.

Left-wing Jerry Hicks told Sun City the current Unite leadership had not been tough enough in the battle with BA boss Willie Walsh. And he vowed to "bring matters to a head" if voted in this December - by extending the cabin crew dispute to all members, such as baggage handlers.

He said: "Seventy members have been suspended by BA, 13 have been sacked. "This is no longer just about changing cabin crew terms and conditions. It's about busting a union." He continued: "It needs to be brought to a head, to a conclusion. "With the members' backing I would extend balloting beyond the cabin crew."

About Jerry Hicks

Joined AEU when started work at Rolls Royce Bristol in 1975 as an apprentice

Elected as Shop Steward in 1984

Elected as Deputy Convener in 1987

Elected as Convener for the Test Areas in 1990

Elected to the Amicus National Executive Committee in 2003 (polling the highest vote in the Aerospace and Shipbuilding sector).

In June of 2005 a 48 hour occupation of the ’Test Areas’ saved the jobs of two fitters who were facing dismissal. Six weeks later I was sacked by Rolls Royce using trumped up charges, unfounded allegations and anti union legislation. A tribunal pre-hearing found in my favour and that in all probability I was sacked for Trade Union activities i.e. victimised.

Ends