Charlie Whelan Unite Update

Since the publication of the story 'Now there is turmoil in the UKs largest union, Unite!' things have moved on a pace.

The grievances raised by the staff who worked in the political department of Unite the trades union, he heads, have been settled at last.

Evidence was cited involving Whelan's behaviour as being 'totally at odds with the policies of the union' and 'totally against the principles established under dignity at work procedures' as well as presiding over 'a real culture of fear and a climate of bullying' in the department.

Whelan himself seems to have moved to settle other scores. He has instructed the top peoples solicitors, Carter Ruck, to pursue a libel action against Frazer Nelson of the Spectator Magazine.

What has he taken offence at? Frazer Nelson made a reference to the above complaints in a Spectator blog.

Now Carter Ruck are claiming, 'distress and embarrassment' when Whelan was accused of having a bullying manner. This case will be followed by many, probably because it might make legal history if Whelan succeeds in this legal adventure, but then I recall that Lord Jeffrey Archer once won a libel action, so anything is possible I suppose?

Now there is turmoil in the UKs largest union, Unite!

The cancer of old fashioned chicanery is alive and well inside Unite, the Labour Party's biggest union paymaster.

This story of Charlie Whelans enlightened attitude to management and communication has resulted in formal grievance complaints being made coupled with copious amounts of sick leave amongst his staff, is bad enough, but civil war is raging among members of the Amicus Section who are choosing a new General Secretary amid blatant manipulation of the process by the current General Secretary one Derek Simpson. He fell foul of the same law that he used to unseat his predecessor Sir Ken Jackson. Very careless you might think?

This time the 'David with a sling' was Bristols', Jerry Hicks. One is forced to conclude that Derek Simpson is obviously not up to running the union if he can't even avoid Ken Jacksons mistake that he himself had identified years before - Time to go Derek!

See also, Kevin and Derek - Two sides of the same Coyne
and Jerry Hick's own site.

Update to this story Published 22 August 2009