Letter from Steve McKenzie, Unite Community member
Thank you to those responsible for writing this article on the hotel scandal in Unite. It is full of facts and figures that are desperately needed when exposing the mess that has been created by both factions at the top of our union.
The priorities for the so-called United Left and the faction organised around Sharon Graham are ultimately the pursuit of vested self-interest.
As both gangs attempt to divert attention away from their own wrongdoing, by pointing to and exposing the sharp practices of the other side, they only succeed in exposing to genuine Unite members what is going on with both factions at the top of our union.
Clearly, there are smoke and mirrors tactics being adopted, as both factions embellish and distort to promote their own agenda. One of the tasks of Marxists in Unite is to strip away the doublespeak and help present the facts.
Then there is the debacle in the BDSU department at head office, where it would appear that allegations of bullying and intimidation have not been addressed, with some of those who were due to go on strike being suspended
Demonstrations and counter-demonstrations outside of head office, all reflecting the degenerate state that our union has been reduced to.
The appalling failure of Sharon Graham’s leadership to give practical support for the Palestinian cause, while ethnic cleansing and genocide are taking place, despite Unite’s policy of full support, is the latest flagrant example of the total disregard that exists in relation to union democracy.
We should continue to deal with things on an issue by issue basis. Genuine Marxists cannot nail their colours to the mast of either of these bureaucratic outfits. A campaign for democracy and to make membership control is long overdue.
