From: nlns@igc.apc.org (New Liberation News Service)
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
Subject: Green light for superunion
Date: 20 Dec 92 22:17:39 GMT
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Organization: ?
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu

/* Written  5:32 pm  Dec 17, 1992 by nalgonews@gn.apc.org in
igc:labor.newsline */
/* ---------- "Green light for superunion" ---------- */
Green light to create Britain's biggest union as 82% of NALGO,
NUPE and COHSE voters say YES!

   by Astrid Stubbs

  BRITAIN's biggest union, UNISON, was born this week with NALGO
  giving the new union a three to one vote of confidence.

  More than eight out of 10 NALGO, NUPE and COHSE voters P 451,225
  P said YES to the 1.4 million strong new union for public
  service workers.

    NALGO members delivered a resounding 73 per cent vote in
    support while ballots of COHSE and NUPE members revealed 94
per cent of those who voted in favour.

In a total turnout of over 35 per centP NALGO's turnout was 38 per
cent P just 17.9 per cent voted against merger.

   The result was announced at a press conference attended by the
   general secretaries of the three unions at the TUC. lt was
   announced simultaneously at the offices of all three unions.

    Jubilant NALGO general secretary Alan Jinkinson described the
    result as "magnificent".

   "I am delighted. This is an historic day for our three unions,
   for the trade union movement and for Britain's cash-starved
   public services. After more than three years of discussion we
   have created UNISON P a union for our times.

  "Members will benefit greatly from its democracy, from its fair
  representation policies and from its strength and resources
  which will deliver effective services and protection at the
  workplace.

   "Employers will no longer be able to divide us," he said.

    Brenda Hudson, chair of NALGO's NEC, declared: "A lot of
    people have done a tremendous job and campaigned very hard.
    Now we have to take each of our strengths forward into the
future."

   Rodney Bickerstaffe, NUPE general secretary, commented: "I am
   proud that today's ballot success heralds a new era in British
   trade unionism.

   "The creation of UNISON is good news for public employees, the
   public they serve and the services they provide.

   "Our agenda for day one will be to revitalise the nation's
   beleagured public services and to enhance the life chances of
   UNISON members."

   Hector MacKenzie, COHSE general secretary, added: "Today's
   result is the best possible news for our hard-pressed public
   services and for the staff who work in them.

   "For health staffs it will build on the achievements of a long,
   proud history of union organisation."


   Two out of every three UNISON members will be women and NUPE
   president Anna McGonigle told the press conference: "It's an
   historic day for women. A new social force for change has been
born."

   And COHSE's Jean Harrison, a nurse in Scotland and a member of
   the STUC general council, added that the new union's commitment
   to proportional representation on leading committees was
   encouraging. It would "ensure women members will be brought
   forward and given the opportunity to take a leading role in the
   future." There was an emotional response to the ballot result
   from NALGO's NEC which met in London to hear the outcome.

   Members cheered and applauded as the result of each ballot was
   announced and joined staff in joyous cele-brations.

  UNISON will offically be formed on 1 July with Alan Jinkinson as
  general secretary with Hector MacKenzie and Rodney Bickerstaffe
  associate general secretaries.

    The legal formalities, the requirements of the Certification
    Officer for Trade Unions as well as agreed farewell
    conferences will lead to a six-month delay before UNISON
    becomes a reality on vesting day, 1 July.

   In the run up NALGO, NUPE and COHSE will forge even closer
   alliances, jointly fighting the government's wage cutting
   policies as well as defending jobs and services P but they will
   remain separate in fact and legality until then confirmed NUPE
   general secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe.


  TUC general secretary Norman Willis was the first to
  congratulate the embryonic new union wishing it a "happy new
  year and happy new union". He said: "It is a historic day for
  the trade union movement. This result will create a strong union
  at a time when strength counts for a great deal."
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive