Deliver the merger

Those in the T&G Section are our allies and partners, not our enemies.  Members voted overwhelmingly for the merger, and for the new Union.  There is a clear message to those at the top – deliver Unite!  This must be the absolute priority and must be done with lightning speed.  We have two finance systems, two membership systems, two legal systems, two websites… the list goes on.  I will work with the T&G Section to deliver the merger and build an open and tolerant union.  We will build on the strengths of both sections, agreeing on the best practice and adopting it: we must always be mindful of the most cost effective way of implementing Unite.  The sum must be greater than the parts – there is no room for sentimentality or tribalism. 

The union is spinning out of financial control and heading for a serious deficit.  We need cash to campaign on behalf of members to provide resources for workplace reps and to employ the most talented and capable workforce in the trade union movement.  Properly integrating the union will eradicate duplication and waste and put us on a secure footing.  We must divert money to where it’s needed most – into building the union and supporting members.  Wasteful and profligate spending on gravy train junkets hits members directly in their pockets through higher subs.