Unite general secretary election - Les Bayliss Statement

Each properly nominated candidate who has accepted nomination is entitled to submit an election address up to a maximum of 600 words. Below is the statement published on the Unite website by Workers Uniting Group Progressive Left Candidate Les Bayliss

Fellow Members:
In two weeks time you will be receiving ballot papers along with an election address in which I will be setting out my request for your support in the election for General Secretary.

All candidates have been given this opportunity by the Executive Council.

Who am I?

Like you I am a member, with over 40 years experience representing our members at all levels in the Union, culminating with my present role as Assistant General Secretary. My current duties and responsibilities include handling the finances of the union, liaising with retired members, and strategic oversight of the Construction and Building Services Sector.

My Views

That Unite is not just the biggest union but also the best union. I see our sector structure as essential for providing a relevant voice to all our members, in an organisation as large and diverse as ours.

I believe that the officers that serve us should not only be well trained and motivated but should be drawn from areas relevant to the members they will be serving. Put simply, construction workers need dedicated officers that understand the construction industry, and finance workers need officers familiar with their sector, and so on throughout the Union.

It is also important that members within each sector have a voice in the selection process of officers, perhaps through the sector committees that are themselves elected.

Union Services

With all its massive resources, Unite should be in a position to provide speedy accurate and professional support to members whenever and wherever it is needed. As General Secretary I will establish a support centre available to give members advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, be it about problems in the workplace or legal matters arising from work. This will ensure the speedy deployment of officers where needed.

Communications

It should not be beyond our ability to provide

a free diary
regular journal dealing with sector specific issues
targeted email bulletins
information, advice and support
and last but not least a Unite membership card.

Support

We all pay our contributions and rightly expect a service in return. We need to know we have the professional support of research, legal and representative help.

Solidarity and Equality

I expect all members, irrespective of race, colour, religion, or sexual orientation, to have equal opportunity and be treated equally. Together we are strong. We all face the same difficulties and together we gain from unity and solidarity.

Politics

Dealing with politics is unavoidable when representing members’ interests. I believe we are better off with a Labour Government, but we need one that delivers for working people.

Please feel free to look up further information or contact me via my web site at:

http://www.les4gs.org/

Les Bayliss