[Editorial note: Left Horizons is happy to support the election campaign of Keith Henderson, for the Services Industries sector of the National Executive Council of Unite the union. Voting starts March 27, when members will start to receive ballot papers, and runs to April 25.]
Keith has published the following in his election addresses and flyers:
I am seeking your vote to enable me to be elected to Unite the Union’s Executive Council, for the Service Industries Sector Constituency (Service Industries consists of, hotel, hospitality, casino, security, cleaners, maintenance, non-food retail, care home workers and CMA which covers Royal Mail, Post Office, and Parcelforce managers).
I organise and lead industrial action for our members in the Security Industry, as their branch secretary. As well as organising, I ensure that there is effective servicing on individual workplace issues, disciplinaries, grievances etc. Contrary to the belief of some, there is no point in having one without the other, organising is servicing and servicing is organising.
Record pay increases for members
I am proud to represent the model Accredited Support Companion branch, (ASC approved branch), that does all of its own representation, pay negotiations and deals with all collective issues, including strike action for our members. We have achieved record pay increases for members this year, including a 22% pay increase for our members at the New Covent Garden Market – working for the notorious contractor OCS.
In addition, we have won union recognition agreements, including a national recognition agreement, just recently signed off by Unite as negotiated by myself. Over 18 years I have represented thousands of union members in the Service Industries sector. I have also championed more funding for ASC approved branches, and raised the issue with the general secretary, Sharon Graham that ASC fees should be increased to £90 a day, which led to that increase from the 1st of August 2022.
Sharon named me as the ‘shop steward’ for ASCs as I am constantly writing to her on behalf of ASC branches. I view the ASCs as like roving shop stewards for our members in the Service Industries sector, who in many cases, would otherwise not get representation from the union.
I believe that providing advice guidance and representation on employment issues, is the basic responsibility of the union. Effective servicing on grievance, disciplinary, health and safety regulations and redundancy matters, are the bread and butter issues that a union must deal with effectively.
The objective has to be for everyone in a workplace in the union to have shop stewards in every workplace. Functioning branches are also essential, in a membership-led union. Sharon Graham, General Secretary, has given first class support to Unite members in disputes since she was elected. She has won my support by sticking to her election pledges. Ultimately, the union is the collective consciousness of the members, their solidarity and willingness to make sacrifices.
Working class people need political representation
If elected to the Executive Council I will do my utmost to support the rebirth of the shop stewards’ movement, and the rebuilding of functioning branches.
I am also an active member of the Labour Party and although I believe the strength of a union lies in its workplace and the support it gives its members in work, I also believe that working class people need political representation to provide long-term and lasting improvements in their daily lives.
The Labour Party leadership at the present time is nowhere near representing the best interests of workers, but I do not believe the answer to that is to disaffiliate and walk away from a party that belongs more to its members and affiliates than to a few dozen MPs. I believe Unite should use its considerable political muscle and its structures to participate in an organised fight in the Labour Party for policies, representatives, councillors, MPs, and a leader that serve the interests of working class people.
So, if you are a Unite member and you work in the service industries sector, please pass on my statement to your fellow workers and members. If you agree with me, ask your branch or workplace to support me with your votes.
In summary, if elected, I will campaign on the NEC for:
1) Dedicated advice line for employment issues. So, members can get legal advice on employment issues when they need it.
2) Lower costing union membership fees for members in the service industries sector in low paid work.
3) Effective and proper union representation in your workplace.
4) More Accredited Support Companions (ASC’s) to represent members in the workplace.
5) For the union to employ dedicated Caseworkers to deal with advance individual cases for members and improving on legal representation for members.
6) Retain the affiliation to the Labour Party but use it more effectively to fight for socialist policies in the party.
A vote for Keith Henderson, is a vote for effective union representation at your workplace!
Contact : keith.henderson19@hotmail.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/KH4UNITEtheUnion
THE UNION IS ITS MEMBERS!
