MPs told to back union or pay the penalty

Jul 10 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

UNION leaders have warned they may withdraw support for Labour constituency parties if North MPs do not back striking council staff.

Unison has written to the region’s Labour MPs to make it clear it expects them to choose between backing union members or following the Government’s strict pay offer.

One union official suggested leaning on thousands of Unison members to only vote for MPs who supported the campaign for a decent wage for council staff.

Union officers have called on MPs to offer their support in order to stop the “disillusionment” prevailing among many members.

They want to see MPs put pressure on the Government to enter into pay negotiations to secure council staff a better wage.

Last night one Unison official said questions were being asked over what benefits the union was seeing for continuing its financial support.

Newcastle branch secretary Kenny Bell said: “We donate a lot of money to constituency parties and now we are asking them to hold their MPs to account. We want them to show just why we claim to have a strong relationship.”

Nationally the union is urging MPs to sign up to a “2.45% – it’s a shame” campaign highlighting what the union believes is an unacceptable Government pay offer to thousands of council workers set to strike next Wednesday and Thursday.

Unions are not allowed to donate to individual MPs but can make contributions to local party offices, cash that goes a long way towards covering running costs and election expenses.

Unison regional bosses have insisted there is no question of removing full support for Labour, but want to force MPs to assess their loyalties.

Mr Bell told The Journal that the union financially supported many North East MPs’ constituencies and admitted there were questions over whether the 50,000 Unison members in the region would continue to look favourably on this if MPs did not return the support.

He said: “We have written to all the MPs asking what their position is and what support they are offering Unison members during their strike.

“We have given a lot to these MPs and we have to start asking what we get from them.

“As well as money donated, there are thousands of members in each MP’s constituency and when it comes to elections we could see many wondering where their MP was when they were on strike.

“We have to be clear; we do not see this at putting our relationship at risk, we think if anything it will strengthen our relationship with them by clarifying just what we expect from Labour MPs.

“Our pressure clearly will be on the constituency parties asking them to call the MPs to account.”

Labour MPs have said they are considering their response.

Minister for the North East Nick Brown said: “No Member of Parliament could alter their policy on public-sector pay because of financial support for their constituency.

“We have to form our own opinions and do so publicly, in a transparent manner. The issue of public-sector pay is a difficult one but one which MPs must judge on the wider implications.

“I and other MPs are very grateful for the support we receive from the trade unions, and we do a lot to support the unions.

“But there can be no quid pro quo.”

DONATIONS

IN the past seven years the following donations have been made to constituency Labour Party groups by Unison, according to records kept by the Electoral Commission:

:: Bishop Auckland £500

:: Blaydon £4,500

:: Easington £350

:: Gateshead £325

:: Jarrow £250

:: North Durham £375

:: North Tyneside £3,325

:: South Shields £4,525

:: Tynemouth £2,625

:: Washington and Sunderland West (currently covering the Gateshead East and Washington West seat) £250

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAY ROW

NORTH MPs have been dragged into the pay row which sees them stuck between union paymasters and Government whips.

Many MPs in constituencies which have accepted donations have avoided commenting on the pay dispute, referring to it as a private matter between themselves and the union.

The Journal was told by staff from Stephen Byers’s office and David Miliband’s office that they would not be discussing the issue.

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, in whose constituency the union has donated some £4,500, has already replied to the Unison letter.

Mr Anderson is a former president of Unison who spent 15 years working in local government.

He said: "Ministers and local government employers should sit down with council trade unions as a matter of urgency to reach a realistic settlement which recognises the commitment and hard work of the workforce by delivering a package that recognises the economic difficulties facing them.

"I understand the Government’s desire to control inflation but that has to be balanced against the day-to-day struggle that many workers face to make ends meet."

South Shields MP David Miliband is one of those whose constituency has received funding from the union.

The Foreign Secretary is currently 3-1 favourite to succeed Gordon Brown as the next Labour Party leader.

A spokesman for the South Shields constituency said Mr Miliband did not comment on private communications.