The Executive Council of Unite has backed the proposal from incumbent general secretary Len McCluskey to make constitutional changes to allow for an election for the post to be held “as soon as possible”, rather than in 2015 as planned.
A statement from United Left (a political grouping within of which McCluskey is a member and in which Workers’ Liberty is also involved) issued prior to the EC decision salutes McCluskey’s various achievements while in office, including civilising the internal regime of the union and pioneering industrial strategies that have won various disputes. They also claim that McCluskey has helped stabilise the union since its creation from a merger of TGWU and Amicus, and should therefore continue in post. A national United Left meeting following the EC endorsed this position and agreed to back McCluskey in the election.
There has been very little opposition to this proposal. Workers’ Liberty members argued against the changes to the constitution, as we think that democratic procedures and accountability are important and should not be manipulated in order to allow incumbents to continue in office.
Jerry Hicks, a maverick left-winger who came second to McCluskey when he won his position in 2010, issued a statement saying that the manoeuvre was opportunistic.
Hicks said the move would stop others (i.e., himself) from standing, as only McCluskey — with his access to greater resources and the union machinery — would be able to prepare and run a proper campaign in the time available.
Some of the changes under McCluskey have been positive.
The changes in the union’s internal regime, towards a more democratic culture and greater tolerance of criticism and debate, have allowed discussions on industrial and political issues.
The new political strategy, while still remaining largely a paper exercise that needs to be implemented, is also a positive development that cuts both against those who think the Labour Party can be bypassed and those who want an uncritical attitude to its leadership.
However, we disagree that a general secretary election in 2015 would be a terrible distraction, and with the claim that McCluskey played a positive role in the pensions dispute. We also disagree that Unite’s industrial strategy makes it a “fighting union”.
It is not clear who, other than McCluskey, will stand in the election. It currently seems unlikely that there will be any credible challenge from someone with a better political and industrial strategy.
Whoever stands, the election should be used as an opportunity for socialists to lead a discussion on what kind of union we need to win the struggles ahead.
