To Strike Or Not To Strike
Transport for London (TfL) and the RMT trade union have settled a damaging strike that was about to take place - over the 'sacking' of two train drivers who just happened to be local officials of the union as well, according to reports.
Now just imagine if every called a strike a soon as soon as someone - even a union official was sacked - that's what you have appeals procedures and Employment Tribunals for - to act as an impartial referee.
Now I don't know the procedures in TfL, but the Employment tribunal seems to have done its jobs properly - with at least one of the two drivers being re-engaged, albeit in a non-driving job for safety reasons.
Now regular readers will recall that Unison sacked one of its officials - a full-time, paid official a while back - and the story was all over the Sunday Herald at the time.
Regular readers will be pleased to know that the Unison official in question was reinstated - after an appeal hearing - and there was no silly talk about strikes or bringing the union to its knees.
Ken Seaward - the official involved - finally retired this week after 30 years of so service to Unison.
So I would just like to wish him all the best - and say that justice was served when his dimissal by Unison was eventually overturned.
Union Fires Official for Taking Side of Low Paid Women (22 August 2009)
Another fascinating article appeared in yesterday’s Sunday Herald – here are the key details of the piece - written by Paul Hutcheon.
"Union Fires Official for Taking Side of Low Paid Women"
A veteran trade union negotiator has been sacked in the middle of a multi-million pound dispute over equal pay.
Ken Seaward, a Unison regional organiser, was dismissed by his union after a fall-out over how to handle the thousands of pay claims made by low paid women.
The 59-year old, who was fired for alleged misconduct, is understood to be a staunch critic of Unison urging its members to settle for a figure that protects councils from having to cut their budgets.
Female workers are currently pursuing equal pay claims. It is estimated that around 35,000 cases have been lodged with employment tribunals.
However, it is understood that tensions exists within Unison on how to approach equal pay claims.
Senior union officials have in the past urged female members to sign “compromise” deals with councils.
Other union figures believe the women should hold out for the full amount to which they are legally entitled.
Seaward, the Unison official in charge of negotiating with Midlothian Council, is said to be in the latter camp.
The Sunday Herald can reveal that the official, who has 29 years’ service, has been sacked for alleged misconduct and bringing Unison into disrepute.
Seaward was dismissed after his union upheld complaints made by Midlothian Council – and he is expected to appeal the decision.
Eddy Coulson, a former Unison regional organiser, said: “What Unison have done to Ken is bang out of order. This is all a question of Unison not wanting to upset the established order.”
Another senior trade unionist said: “There is definitely a split within the unions, which are male dominated, on how to deal with equal pay. There are tensions between and within the unions.”
It is also understood that some Unison members believe the union’s hierarchy is too close to the Labour Party and to local authorities.
Unison advised its female members in Glasgow to sign a “compromise” agreement in 2005, an approach opposed by some of the union’s members.
David O’Connor, while a branch secretary at Unison said: “We have approached pragmatically the issue of what can be afforded by councils without job losses and loss of services.”
Since the Glasgow deal was struck, Unison has been the subject of legal action by former members unhappy at the agreement the union advised them to sign.
A Unison spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual disciplinary cases, particularly while they are still in process.”
Seaward declined to comment.
The article speaks for itself and paints a sorry picture of the union - but we'll be happy to publish readers' comments - without attributing any names, of course, given how nasty and vindictive some people can be.
Now just imagine if every called a strike a soon as soon as someone - even a union official was sacked - that's what you have appeals procedures and Employment Tribunals for - to act as an impartial referee.
Now I don't know the procedures in TfL, but the Employment tribunal seems to have done its jobs properly - with at least one of the two drivers being re-engaged, albeit in a non-driving job for safety reasons.
Now regular readers will recall that Unison sacked one of its officials - a full-time, paid official a while back - and the story was all over the Sunday Herald at the time.
Regular readers will be pleased to know that the Unison official in question was reinstated - after an appeal hearing - and there was no silly talk about strikes or bringing the union to its knees.
Ken Seaward - the official involved - finally retired this week after 30 years of so service to Unison.
So I would just like to wish him all the best - and say that justice was served when his dimissal by Unison was eventually overturned.
Union Fires Official for Taking Side of Low Paid Women (22 August 2009)
Another fascinating article appeared in yesterday’s Sunday Herald – here are the key details of the piece - written by Paul Hutcheon.
"Union Fires Official for Taking Side of Low Paid Women"
A veteran trade union negotiator has been sacked in the middle of a multi-million pound dispute over equal pay.
Ken Seaward, a Unison regional organiser, was dismissed by his union after a fall-out over how to handle the thousands of pay claims made by low paid women.
The 59-year old, who was fired for alleged misconduct, is understood to be a staunch critic of Unison urging its members to settle for a figure that protects councils from having to cut their budgets.
Female workers are currently pursuing equal pay claims. It is estimated that around 35,000 cases have been lodged with employment tribunals.
However, it is understood that tensions exists within Unison on how to approach equal pay claims.
Senior union officials have in the past urged female members to sign “compromise” deals with councils.
Other union figures believe the women should hold out for the full amount to which they are legally entitled.
Seaward, the Unison official in charge of negotiating with Midlothian Council, is said to be in the latter camp.
The Sunday Herald can reveal that the official, who has 29 years’ service, has been sacked for alleged misconduct and bringing Unison into disrepute.
Seaward was dismissed after his union upheld complaints made by Midlothian Council – and he is expected to appeal the decision.
Eddy Coulson, a former Unison regional organiser, said: “What Unison have done to Ken is bang out of order. This is all a question of Unison not wanting to upset the established order.”
Another senior trade unionist said: “There is definitely a split within the unions, which are male dominated, on how to deal with equal pay. There are tensions between and within the unions.”
It is also understood that some Unison members believe the union’s hierarchy is too close to the Labour Party and to local authorities.
Unison advised its female members in Glasgow to sign a “compromise” agreement in 2005, an approach opposed by some of the union’s members.
David O’Connor, while a branch secretary at Unison said: “We have approached pragmatically the issue of what can be afforded by councils without job losses and loss of services.”
Since the Glasgow deal was struck, Unison has been the subject of legal action by former members unhappy at the agreement the union advised them to sign.
A Unison spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual disciplinary cases, particularly while they are still in process.”
Seaward declined to comment.
The article speaks for itself and paints a sorry picture of the union - but we'll be happy to publish readers' comments - without attributing any names, of course, given how nasty and vindictive some people can be.
