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SALFORD LABOUR COUNCIL ATTACKS UNISON TRADE UNION DEMOCRACY
 

Star date: 7th May 2015

A Salford Star Exclusive

UNPRECENDENTED ATTACK ON TRADE UNION BY LABOUR COUNCIL

Salford's Labour Council has attacked trade union UNISON, which represents Council staff, by withdrawing facility time for elected branch treasurer Ameen Hadi – because he has represented his members in challenging cuts to jobs and services!

This is the latest in a long line of attacks on UNISON representatives since Salford Mayor Ian Stewart has been in power. Unbelievably, Stewart, Labour MP candidate Rebecca Long Bailey and many other councillors are sponsored by, or are members of trade unions. UNISON is holding a meeting of members on Monday to discuss action against Salford Council and in defence of one of its elected members.

Full details here...

Yesterday, elected Salford City UNISON branch secretary, Ameen Hadi, was dragged before Salford Council bosses and told he was no longer allowed to represent his members in his current capacity – because of his trade union activities challenging Council proposals for cuts to jobs and services.

Salford Council allows several elected trade union officials facility time, as seconded officers, but Hadi was told yesterday that this was being withdrawn and he would have to return to his Council job. According to an internal UNISON letter to members, seen by the Salford Star, the Council is not allowing any appeal or any other means to try and resolve the issue.  

Last week, Ameen Hadi was speaking at a protest outside the Civic Centre against cuts to the Council's Health Improvement Service (see here) and it is thought that the events are linked. However, other elected UNISON officials have spoken at similar rallies and protests without attacks on their roles. Members who are disgusted with Salford Council's anti-trade union antics have told the Salford Star that this latest action `stinks of discrimination'.

Incredibly, most of Salford's Labour councillors are sponsored by or members of trade unions, including Salford Mayor Ian Stewart (Unite), Deputy Mayor David Lancaster (Unite), Strategic Mayor Paul Dennett (Unite), Assistant Mayor John Merry (GMB) and Assistant Mayor Bill Hinds (Unite). Rebecca Long Bailey, standing today as the Labour Party candidate to be MP for Salford and Eccles is also sponsored by Unite the Union.

The UNISON letter to members adds that Salford Council is taking the unprecedented step of telling staff that it – and not the members – will decide who the seconded officers of the union will be... "We cannot accept that basic attack on our right to a democratic union branch" it states.

Salford City UNISON members will be meeting on Monday night to decide what action to take against Salford Council...


* Salford Star contacted Salford City UNISON for a comment but the union stated that it couldn't respond until after Monday's meeting.


See previous related Salford Star article: Salford Mayor accused of `blatant lies' and `slander' by UNISON rep – click here


Graphic by Steven Speed
Sharon Cooke wrote
at 15:26:55 on 18 May 2015
Ian Green 'He is employed by the people of Salford to work for them. Is it really so wrong that he should actually do so?' Union representation SAVES the tax payers of Salford hundreds of thousands of pounds that would be charged if disputes had to go to ACAS etc
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Ian Green wrote
at 10:19:41 on 10 May 2015
He is employed by the people of Salford to work for them. Is it really so wrong that he should actually do so?
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dave fraser wrote
at 13:38:40 on 09 May 2015
Ameen as worked tirelessly to ensure that unison members are treated fairly and honestly by Salford council. he as shown himself to be a fearless defender and a determined advocate for the jobs and dignity of Salford council workers and services. its to this city great shame that such a brave defender is needed and a travesty that those in power would want to silence and sideline such a public servant. this council gives the impression that they cannot bear any thought or action by anyone that does not conform to there party line or narrative. i hope with all my heart that unison members support ameen as he as tried to support them and that together they encourage Salford council to changes its imposition.i hope that one day we have a council that does not run scared of independent ,strong individuals but revels in the challenge of working with residents and staff who hold opinions that they might not like but in a pluralist society and for the sake of a strong labor council need to hear. .
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DISGUSTED wrote
at 23:17:22 on 07 May 2015
Ameen is a fantastic guy who does a great job and from my experiance he has always acted professionally! The council leaders should be ashamed of themselves!!! Is this what it has come down to!!! If the council doesnt like what you are saying they will silence you!!!
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Wendy Olsen wrote
at 23:17:19 on 07 May 2015
Very concerned to hear this. A facility time arrangement lets the rep, chosen *by union members*, use their paid work time in the common interest. They attend meetings and take up both personal and collective cases if members. what they win, all workers gain from, even those not in that union. Is the council ready to challenge this highly refined system?
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maary robson wrote
at 23:17:08 on 07 May 2015
There are no words to really desscribe the disgust that people feel about the way Ameen has been treated. You were there for us Ameen, when we were trying to fight the transport cuts There is no loyalty anywhere. Things will out eventually
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Salford Worker wrote
at 19:58:08 on 07 May 2015
Unite ran Falkirk and they also run Salford, only difference is there was an investigation in Falkirk when it was alleged the Unite union had got their candidate in by illegal means. No chance of any sort of inquiry in Salford. Sorry but if you ain't favoured by Unite the union then it appears you ain't going anywhere for Labour in Salford. Only way to sort this mess out is for UNISON to join with GMB and call for an ALL OUT strike in Salford, you cannot have one union calling the shots over the others it leads to 'corruption'.
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Norma Parkinson -green wrote
at 19:58:04 on 07 May 2015
All this shows is Ian Stewart and co. Are running scared! Like he threaten the public with legal action if we messed up the lawn during a peaceful demonstration! Ameen is simply doing his job and doing it well. He is also supporting the community unlike salford council!! Shame on you all you don't deserve to be in office. Enough is enough. You need to look at your action and Inactions before you blame others.
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Mike Kelly wrote
at 16:14:26 on 07 May 2015
Lets hope by Monday there may not be so many Labour Councillors requiring Union sponsorship. Who knows what some new blood might do with regards to actually seeing democracy at work.......its been a long time since it was seen to be working in Salford #vivatherevolution
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noreen bailey wrote
at 16:13:38 on 07 May 2015
Ameen how appalled I am at the way you are being treated does this council not value any of its workers if they do they have a very funny way of showing it. Ameen is such a lovely caring and gentle man who takes every ones feelings to heart.He helped us and told us right from wrong what we could and could not do.How dare this mayor and his cabinet as he calls them yes that really is the right name for them all because they are all as thick as wood with no thoughts for anyone to do this to someone who would not harm anyone im just sickened by this. Ameen we are all here to stand by you and I dare not say what I feel for Ian Stewart because I would be arrested but he knows our feelings towards him and if labour get in tonight all I can say I really hope Rebecca Long Bailey WILL SEE WHAT SHE HAS LET HERSELF IN FOR I AM SO SORRY AMEEN
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Anthony Dowd wrote
at 15:00:49 on 07 May 2015
And so the attacks against ANYONE that stands up FOR local people AGAINST the Labour State of Salford continues. After ALL the hard work this man has done to help families of disabled who had their transport stolen by the Council. And people STILL think Salford Labour represent the 'working class'!!
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