Statement from United Left North West

Saturday the 14th November 2008 the North West Region of Unite the Union formally launched the Unite Broad Left United.

At a well attended meeting of Amicus and TGWU comrades it was unanimously decide to go ahead and form this progressive Left Grouping.

At this meeting we elected officers and a steering committee which will form a Broad Left United Executive Committee.

We have agreed in principle a set of Left progressive policies and principles which will be reviewed periodically.

We believe in a strong lay member democracy – Lay Member control of the Union through a Lay Member Executive Council - cascading down through the Lay structures i.e. Industrial Committees (Regional and National) – Regional Committees - Area Activist Committees and Branches.

At this first meeting the subject of the postponed launch of the United Left was discussed in depth.

Many delegates outlined their total opposition to the delay in launching a National Unite Broad Left citing amongst other reasons the undemocratic manner in which the decision to delay was arrived at together with the pressing need to launch a United Left within the union as soon as possible.

We all know that these points have already been well discussed on this forum and the intent is not to start the debate again but to convey the strength of feeling in the North West Region.

We need to move forward for the benefit of our members. The original date of the launch in November is clearly now not practical however it is the unanimous view of the North West that we convene a National Launch of the United Left at the earliest possible opportunity in order to take our union forward for the benefit of all of our members with or without the distraction of an election for JGS. We would argue for early January which, given the continuing attacks on our members wages and conditions in the attempt to solve capitalist problems at our members expense, would show unity in our ranks.

Sent on behalf of the North West United Left.

Sharon Hutchinson
Vice – Secretary

John Cooper - Chair
Pat Coyne - Vice -Chair
Neil Sheehan - Secretary

Unite left North West Launched

Dear Comrades

Yesterday the North West united left was launched at a meeting Wigan Greater Manchester. This means the T&GWU broad left and Amicus Unity Gazette are one organisation within the North West. Issues raised included more shop steward engagement, support for disputes and reclaiming of the Labour party. Comrades committed to engaging in the political process. We also decided that we would encourage the merger at national level before the end of the year or as soon as possible for both lefts.The meeting was well attended.Please join the facebook and engage in the new organisation

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=50447242813

John Wiseman