Statement by Les Bayliss
I would like to thank Brian Boyd and Paul Reuter for the comradely way in which the hustings process was carried out and welcome their support.
Unite faces many challenges. We will need to create a union which is “fit for purpose”. A unified union, not a Mark 2 or mirror image of previous unions but a new union based on the three pillars of Unite – Organising, Political Campaigning and Internationalism.
We will need to provide our reps, activists and members with strong, disciplined leadership to protect their employment and their terms and conditions, in every sector, in every region, in every branch, chapel or workplace.
Our new democratic structure at region and sector level, with a strong equalities base and next week’s Industrial Sector Conferences will help us on the way to building a great union.
We will need fight to reshape the Labour Party – there is no point in pretending that setting up new parties with minimal electoral appeal will attract working people.
We must press on with the fight for the removal of the anti-union laws, the end of the European Court of Justice rulings which will damage trade unions in the long run.
We will need to create a union that is financially strong with a growing membership, a union which recognises its future lies in attracting workers in economically important private and public sectors - the skilled, professional and technical workers who historically stick with us. That is not to say that we don't organise all workers - as I have said before the bosses need to know that we are serious when we take them on.
We will need strong leadership – leadership based on wide experience, a leadership that doesn't lead members up a blind alley.
With the support of Workers Uniting Group, many Unite Officials and staff, many activists, reps, members from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, I believe I am ready for the challenges we will face and we can face them together.
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