North West region backs Dave Prentis in UNISON GS election‏

At a packed Mechanics Institute in Manchester (site of the first meeting of the TUC) UNISON largest region the North West Regional Council overwhelmingly endorsed the nomination of Dave Prentis for General Secretary.

Diane Kelly Regional Convenor in moving the nomination called on delegates to support Dave in putting our members first and building a strong, progressive, campaigning and organising union. “Unions are for hard times and we face many hard challenges in the next few months and years. Dave is committed to all our members and making this a united, powerful, force as a union in society" said Diane in asking the Council to back his nomination.

The usual suspects from the ‘dis-united left’ opposed a snap election being called, claiming they had no idea a five year term of office was about to end and asked for hustings to be arranged so they could hear their three candidates speak before any decision was taken.

However on being put to a vote 78 delegates voted to support Dave’s nomination, 23 opposed and 12 abstained.

Conference motions on ‘Tax Avoidance and the Impact on Public Services’ and ‘Social Care’ were agreed.

Questions were asked to NEC members, especially why a minority of NEC members were opposing and then abstained on the proposed rule amendment against the Far Right. Peter Thorne from Burnley made the point that this amendment is crucial in our fight against fascists and needs to be carried unanimously at conference this year.