I left Unite the union this morning after 11 years membership. I made sure it was the first thing I did.
I was appalled and angry to read the Mail on Sunday’s revelations about Derek Simpson’s frequent stays at the Waldorf. Appalled that someone who lectures others on corporate greed and excess could tell the Mail that the Waldorf was an appropriate resting place for a man of his stature. And angry that the governance of the union is so broken that the excess was permitted.
I joined Unite (when it was just the TGWU) in 1997 because I believed in the values of trade unionism and because I saw membership of a trade union as an essential part of my commitment to the Labour party. I picked the T&G because I liked national officer Bob Purkiss, who lived in my constituency and because he was keen to push my involvement. At the time I was working for £1.80 in a pizza franchise where there was no prospect of trade union recognition and I was put in a branch of Barcardi staff in Southampton. However, I enjoyed being active on the regional and national structures although I was surprised when (despite being a 6th form student) was told to claim ‘loss of earnings’ expenses as well as full train costs, despite my young persons’ discount card.
I drifted away from active trade unionism whilst at university – even though I was working for my first and only employer which recognised a union – the House of Commons. In fact, during that time the union in parliament ran a successful campaign to increase salaries for MPs’ staff – and it’s not their fault I left before benefitting. I kept paying my £10 per month even when doing so sent me over my overdraft limit and cost me bank charges. I didn’t want to leave an organisation when I believed in its purpose just because I was poor at managing my finances.
When I moved house in 2004, I called the union to register my change of address. The membership centre couldn’t find any records of my membership, despite me giving the reference numbers which appeared on my monthly direct debit. In an act of petulance I suggested I should cancel my direct debit and the call centre operator agreed that union membership was of little use. However, my wife was a local councillor and I thought it was better to be in than out. Then Jack Dromey came calling and I stayed in the T&G because I supported his candidacies. I remained in the union despite not receiving a ballot paper to any of my former addresses and no other communication from the union.
I left today because I realised that being a member of a trade union is not the same as being committed to collective organising and standing up for working people. In fact, it feels incompatible. Some may think that it’s daft to leave whilst there’s an election up for grabs (even though I won’t get a vote). But it shouldn’t depend on one person to change the culture of an organisation which told a 16 year old that it was ok to lie about his expenses and fails to provide a check on a general secretary who has lost a sense of what he’s for. Besides, I always hoped that Jack Dromey’s election would leave to things changing. I haven’t seen that (not that the union has contacted me either).
There are two other things that have helped me make the decision. My wife is a member of Unite and, as a Labour councillor in a marginal ward, has asked on three occassions for help with election expenses. She’s never had a reply. And although she receives plenty of advertising for financial services products, there’s no regular communication (even something as basic and old fashioned as a newsletter).
So I’m leaving Unite the union and will not rejoin a trade union until I find one that tends to practice what it preaches. Even if the particulars of this story are not true, it comes after a series of embarrassing revelations of corporate greed at the union.
Instead, I will find a progressive organisation which stands up for working and vulnerable people and believes in collectivity and donate £10 a month to them instead. And if I get in trouble at work? Well, I wouldn’t fancy my chances with this bunch, even if I could convince them that I’m a member.
UPDATE: I’ve emailed Tony Woodley to explain why I’ve left. Not because I’m important, but because I want the leadership of the union to understand just how damaging these stories are.
I’ve no reason to doubt the integrity of Woodley, Dromey or lots of other hard working T&G activists and staff. But the failure of corporate governance to allow the union to give THAT quote to the Mail – and turned a blind eye to the payments suggests a rotten organisation. Moreover, it no longer has the credibility to speak for me in the Labour party, in Whitehall, to company bosses or the media.
UPDATE: Tony Woodley called me to discuss my email. As we agreed, the content of the call will remain private. However, I was impressed that he took the time to talk about my concerns.
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- Is Compass successful in engaging its members?
- Voting Labour with a heavy heart
- Labour is also Ann Black
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Tags: Derek Simpson, Unite the union
Matthew.
I still dont understand why you left the union. I can see your point about DS and the Waldorf but I get the impression that you are quite happy supporting a political party such as Labour who support neo liberal policies that benefit the rich.
Why dont you rejoin and assist in making the union more available to members where there are no union agreements and at the same time using the lay member structure to challange abuses like the waldorf incident?
Fair question, Ian. There are three factors, really:
1. I happen to think that Labour’s “neo liberal policies that benefit the rich” are a necessary price to pay for getting it elected. It’s a compromise worth making
2. Labour makes no pretence of “fighting back for the workers” and indeed gets lectured by hypocrites such as Simpson for defending the rich.
3. I was active in the lay member structure of the union and found it to be completely and utterly hopeless in challenging abuses. Indeed, as I intimated, it drew me in to a web of excessive expenses claims, on a smaller scale
Maybe that makes me incoherent or unprincipled in your eyes. But I’d rather my wages not subsidise hotel visits in the Waldorf.
I think there should be a minster for consumers rights
Technically there is, Jerry. It’s Kevin Brennan MP: http://www.berr.gov.uk/aboutus/ministerialteam/page51725.html but I’m not sure that giving someone ministerial responsibility for a policy area has always made much of an impact.
There’s also Consumer Focus, of course.
Don’t blame you Matthew. Like you, I too spent a decade supporting a Trade Union and am disillusioned. USDAW does nothing to support workers. They are more concerned with revenue raising to fund their lavish non-stop conferencing, than defending workers rights. They have lost members to other unions and are balloting workers in Wrexham. Like Labour MP’s they are not interested in the working class, only in their explotation for their own political prestige and power. Gone to BNP and GMB. Good luck to you.
I can’t condone supporting a racist political party.
Matthew trade unions are now a country mile behind the employers on all counts , we pay our subs for representation and thats what we dont get ,,
TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT AT http://WWW.EMPLOYMENTCONCERN.CO.UK
The descision by flight staff to strike over the Christmas holiday is the final straw. O.K there was a ballot but a profesional Union should be in a position to understand the long term damage such an action would cause.
To the Company, The Government, Labour Party, Customers, General public and not least BA staff who will ultimately be made redundant .
I was around in the 70’s and remember initial rot setting in. nearly 40 years on and no lessons have been learned it would appear.
The only fat cats that I can think of are Sim[son and Woodley
Unite or any other union are not interested in the individual whether she/he be a member or not. They will go so far as to represent you in the workplace but only to ensure that any action taken against you is fair. There sole purpose (in my view) is to negociate your yearly payrise and to be honest they aint that good at that. Unions are dated and have little or no affect on the current work/life style, You only have to look at the current BA crisis if the workers go on strike, BA will be lucky to last 12 days before they call in the receivers then all the workforce will be looking for employment. Dont waste your money by paying your subs every month it would be of more benefit donating it to charity. We have Unite representing us and they have acheived nothing on note in recent years every decision they have argued they have lost.
Having read your comments I can but agree and Hope that people like yourself stand up more and show what Unions are doing to our country. People complain about Fat Cats in Industry, Banking and fiddling claims in Goverment, what about Union Staff taking liberties with supporters money is that not as bad? I wish someone had set up an anti union site on the web that had some power.
How do you go about leaving the union? I looked on their website and can’t find a “Leave Now” button. Is it simply a case of cancelling my direct debit?
Thanks
Unite is a joke ! What muppet solicitors are they using to continually throw members money at this BA dispute and they can’t even get a ballot right. Time to throw it in ! Willie Walsh won’t be beaten !