Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Although the union’s work is going on, representing members who have grievances with their employers, we regret that there is some disruption going on at the heart of the union.

Two members of the Executive have taken upon themselves the right to 'suspend' the general secretary at a secret inquorate 'meeting' on the eve of a massive recruiting drive. Against all the rules of natural justice, they brought in a ‘special investigator’ – Billy McLinden who was also to become 'acting general secretary'. In other words, he had a vested interest in taking the job from the incumbent general secretary, Mr Harrington.

Little is known about Mr McLinden, however, from the correspondence in our possession, it looks like this ‘impartial investigator’ had already prejudged the issue and Mr Harrington had to go! Not so much an investigation as an attempted coup d'etat.

It’s regrettable that such disruption to the smooth running of the Union should occur just prior to the planned massive recruiting drive. Still, it’s better to get things sorted out now for the benefit of rank-and-file members. Happily, the two political parties that have thus far voiced support for Solidarity – the National Liberal Party/Third Way and the British National Party – have agreed to continue to support the union through its present temporary difficulties and given clear backing to the leadership of Pat Harrington.

To answer the pretended concerns raised by the would-be disrupters our first year accounts have been placed on Solidarity’s website for everyone to see. An emergency general meeting has been scheduled to bring the Union firmly back under the control of the membership. We propose to amend the constitution to allow for seven voting Executive members and to separate the roles of Treasurer and General Secretary. This was in fact, a proposal originally made by Pat Harrington.

We reassure our members that Union accounts are prepared by a professional firm of accountants, independently audited and published. Our accounts are in order and this attempt to undermine the Union should be seen for what it is.

Taking Care of Business

Defend Union member Mark Walker

General Secretary, Pat Harrington, comments: -

"Read the article below carefully. You will see that one of our members, Mark Walker, is facing discrimination and hardship on account of his political beliefs. I believe in the traditional Union maxim: - 'An attack on one is an attack on all'. I also believe that the best form of defence is attack! When one of our members is victimised or treated unfairly we must all rally to their collective defence. If you see comment in newspapers on the Walker issue please join with me in defending his civil liberties. I am currently preparing various complaints on Mark's behalf and we will be challenging and calling to account those little Hitlers (or Stalins!) involved in the persecution."

 Union backing for BNP-row teacher

Jun 24 2007
By Caroline Smith, The Sunday Sun

A teacher suspended for accessing right-wing political material on the internet during school time has become the victim of a "kangaroo court", his union has claimed.

Mark Walker may now take legal action against education chiefs after his headteacher allowed a separate teaching union - Unison - to hold an anti-fascist meeting on its premises last Monday.

The union sent letters to members of staff urging them to attend in opposition to "fascist infiltration" of schools.

Though not naming Mr Walker - a BNP council candidate - he is indirectly referred to as a "teacher currently suspended" and the letter states that teaching unions support "action being taken" against him.

 We revealed last week how Mr Walker, 36, was suspended from Sunnydale School in Shildon, County Durham, in February after checks showed he had used school computers to look at right-wing websites during teaching time.

No other disciplinary action has been taken and he still hopes to be reinstated to his job.

Meanwhile, his brother Adam, 38, has quit his teaching job at Houghton Kepier foundation school in Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, after he was also found to have accessed right-wing websites on the school's computer.

Last week Mark's union - Solidarity - which has close links with the BNP, slammed the decision to allow the meeting to take place before the internal investigation.

General Secretary Peter Harrington - who revealed that Mr Walker may consider legal action over the anti-fascist meetings - said: "It is ludicrous that a meeting against fascism was held at a school where a teacher has been suspended - we believe - for being a member of the BNP.

"It is like a kangaroo court, and the decision of the school is outrageous, as is the stand taken by the unions.

"Whatever one's personal view of the BNP, it is a legal political organisation which has been sanctioned by the state. Under the Human Rights Act he is allowed freedom of political expression.

"It is no coincidence that computers he had used - and not those of other teachers - were checked by the school authorities."

The National Union of Teachers - which had backed Mr Walker - is understood to have withdrawn its support.

Neither the school's headteacher nor Durham County Council were prepared to comment. Our calls to Unison were not returned.

Bread and Butter work continues

The 'bread and butter' work of our Union on grievances and disciplinaries continues. Pat Harrington is personally dealing with a grievance concerning Data Protection this week as well as a claim for unpaid SSP. In time we will need to develop a Regional network with trained reps. If you are interested in this work please contact us at the address given below.

Major recruitment campaign

Pat Harrington has negotiated a major e-mail recruitment campaign. Over 11,000 e-mails have been circulated urging people to join the fighting Union Solidarity. These e-mails were sent to BNP members and enquirers. Steady recruitment is taking place and the number of hits to our websites has dramatically increased. This week the Third Way and its allies will also be running a big recruitment push for the Union (albeit on a somewhat smaller scale!).

Contact Details

Because of the current attempt to wreck our Union it is necessary for us to take certain security precautions. We therefore advise members not to use the old Leicester PO Box or to reply to communications from it. We further advise you not to respond to any e-mails which are sent purporting to be on behalf of the Union unless they originate from our official e-mail address ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). All union material bearing the Leicester address should be destroyed. Attached or enclosed with this bulletin you will find a new membership application form bearing a new temporary address which you should use when signing-up members. As of July 2nd our Union address will be:- Solidairity, PO Box 93, Spennymoor, DL16 9AN. Mail will still be received at the Edinburgh address.

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I support the holding of an Emergency General Meeting on July 14, 2007 ( )

I oppose the holding of an Emergency General Meeting on July 14, 2007 ( )

Please indicate your choice with a tick above.

Name

Address

Return in the SAE provided to: Patrick Harrington, General Secretary, Solidarity, Room 407, 12 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1DD.

If two-thirds of our members request an EGM it will take place on July 14. Details of venue will be sent in advance of the meeting. If you wish to propose motions or constitutional amendments please submit them at least seven days prior to the meeting. Motions will need a seconder who is also a Solidarity member.

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Patrick Harrington, General Secretary, Solidarity, Room 407, 12 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1DD.

E-mail: solidaritygb@aol.com Website: www.solidaritytradeunion.net