But when elections hit us, the real issues can get lost in union in-fighting and the facts can become the first casualty. We hear wild claims made by candidates, myths being put about and promises made that can never be delivered. Wild claims cannot go unchallenged but the danger is that members are completely put off by internal politicking, negativity and mud-slinging.
Yes, we have a lay led union. A union where the members make the policies and set the priorities. But the role of the chief full-time officer, working in partnership with the lay leadership, is absolutely critical. Taking forward our constructive left policies on issues like pay, pensions, privatisation and equal rights. Taking forward our organising agenda and ensuring that more staff are available, on the front line, with members where they are needed. The nuts and bolts of trade unionism.
But also taking forward the wider political issues, like UNISON’s radical ‘no-cut recovery budget’ that would raise £74billion for public services, its environmental campaigns, its campaigns against fascism and its proud record on building equality in its own structures as well as the workplace.
Serious times need serious leadership. Now more than ever, UNISON needs a strong General Secretary with a proven record of experience, skill, and passion to lead the union through the biggest challenges public services have faced for years. Someone who will take the responsibility for defending and promoting our policies and rules, not standing on a platform opposed to them. Dave Prentis is the only contender who can realistically deliver that.
In his 35 years trade union experience, Dave has become well-respected across the union and beyond. That brings real influence when standing up for public service workers. He has the essential qualifications and track-record to manage a huge organisation like UNISON. Members want to know their subs are spent carefully, there is a sophisticated organisation to back them up and it has structures that include them and respond to them.
Under Dave’s nine year tenure we have seen increases in membership and better internal organisation (as Deputy General Secretary he instigated the strategic review to bring the union closer to members). Dave has promoted an inclusive union via UNISON’s equalities agenda, championing self organisation and zero tolerance of racism.
The union has been at the forefront of the struggle for equal pay, for the rights of young workers and for our pensioners to have dignity in retirement. In the past 10 years UNISON has pioneered lifelong learning, our union’s innovative practices have been enshrined into legislation.
Above all Dave has been a powerful voice for public services and for our members who deliver them.
A fact recognised by the Guardian when it put Dave in the top five of the 100 most influential people in public services. Dave Prentis leads UNISON ‘formidably", said the Guardian. "(his) sophisticated use of the financial resources and political muscle of Britain’s biggest public services union has begun to squeeze New Labour’s agenda, from the private finance initiative to foundation hospitals."
This is a perceptive recognition of Dave’s abilities. Never afraid to call for industrial action when needed, support it, and get out on the picket line with members. But not bogged down in single-tactic responses - able to box clever and use all the tactics open to the union when needed. Why lose money on strike if you can get a result without the pain?
To defend public services we need the whole trade union movement working together. Dave’s success in working with other unions to defend public service workers saw the Telegraph describe him as "an elder statesman of the awkward squad" of union leaders.
Much will be made of political allegances in the campaign. Dave’s record has always put the union first, speaking up for its members. On his website he stresses a ‘strong independent voice’, "As long as I lead this union I will speak with a strong, independent voice. No saying one thing in private and another in public; no putting political party before union members, and no compromise on our values and those things we most care about." Unlike the leaders of all other affiliated unions Dave has stood up and defeated Cabinet Ministers at the Labour Party Conference – on PFI in 2001 and on NHS privatisation in 2005 and 2006.
At the Labour Conference in 2008, he told delegates, "Our members don't want Gordon Brown to feel their pain - they want him to stand up and heal their pain, to give them fair pay increases… Raise our people up or our people will bring you down!."
And just a few weeks ago, he summed up the feelings of UNISON members across the country when he told a public services rally, "No school cleaner gambled billions on the stock exchange - No home carer, no social worker, no librarian. None of them created this recession. Why should they be expected to pay for it?"
Dave’s message is straightforward, "I believe passionately in this union. I believe that public services are the measure of a civilised society and I want to continue to speak up for the people who provide them. I have led this union for nine years and I am very proud of what we – together – have achieved in that time."
To maintain those achievements, the union needs unity and stability. It needs to pull on all its strengths to defend its members. The full-time structure and the lay organisation need a common purpose, working in partnership. Dave is the only candidate who can deliver on that.