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From The Socialist newspaper, 1 March 2017
Hearing into alleged rule-breaking by Unison ends
Unison's right-wing general secretary Dave Prentis, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Unison members
The hearing into rule breaking by public sector union Unison during the 2015 general secretary election ended on 22 February.
Complaints have been made by three candidates in the election - Socialist Party member Roger Bannister, Unison local government head Heather Wakefield and Barnet branch secretary John Burgess.
The fourth complainant is Jon Rogers, a greater London executive member.
Most of the complaints centre on a staff meeting held in London in October 2015 which, contrary to union rules, was used to organise support for incumbent general secretary Dave Prentis.
This last day was set aside for summary statements, and had a more legalistic focus than the first three days in December, when a number of Unison officials made some surprising revelations about behind the scenes machinations in the union, and were clearly uncomfortable under cross examination.
Towards the close of the hearing, Judge Mary Stacey announced her intention to include in her ruling a "finding of fact" on whether or not Dave Prentis had any direct connection with the meeting in question.
A finding that he had such a connection would be extremely damaging to Prentis's reputation.
Of key importance to all parties is whether or not the judge orders the election to be rerun.
The ruling is not expected for several weeks.
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In The Socialist 1 March 2017:
Save #OurNHS
Build a movement to save our NHS
Reinstate the bursaries for student nurses now!
Grantham: 1,000 march for reopening of A&E
NHS England missing paperwork scandal
Heart centre closure consultation 'farce'
Socialist Party women
Women's protests and walkouts around the world
Lessons of Russia 1917 for women's struggle today
Why I joined the Socialist Party
How black women fought racism and sexism at Nasa
Fight like Poplar's women councillors to change the lives of family carers
What we think
Byelections: Break with Labour Blairism wasn't on offer
Socialist Party feature
Debates on building the anti-Trump movement
Workplace news and analysis
"I worked from 9am to 11.30pm with only one break"
Warehouse workers walk out over pay and pensions
Derby teaching assistants continue fight against £6,000 a year pay cut
Picturehouse strikers blockade Leicester Square
Ford workers demand answers to Bridgend plant sourcing questions
Hearing into alleged rule-breaking by Unison ends
Leeds: Protest against tip stealing
Mixed Fleet cabin crew announce more strike days
RMT plans protest against 'driver only' Merseyrail trains
Southern Rail strike continues
May Day greetings in the Socialist
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Unions demand that Corbyn-supporting mayor protects services
Bristol cuts: the fight goes on
Tower Hamlets: There is an alternative, Mr Biggs
Spelthorne: we need socialist councillors
York University: socialists prevent far-right hate speech
Socialist Party Wales conference report
Northern region Socialist Party conference
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
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