Fighting for democracy in the union
It is regrettable that we have to continually correct the false narrative provided by (former EC chair) Andy Green and others. The facts of this week’s issues are as follows:
A majority of Executive members covering all groups (alleged “factions”) signed a motion to call a special meeting of the EC under rules 14.7 and 14.3 which clearly statethat at any time a majority of the EC may remove the Chair when a majority of the EC consider it necessary. This is the motion that was debated prior to the start of this week’s EC meeting. This was after being frustrated to hold said meeting the previous week by the actions of Andy Green and the Administration of our Union.
To highlight only one of the concerns that the majority of the EC had with the special meeting , the Legal Director of the Union gave a personal interpretation of his understanding of the rule, not a formal legal one. In Steve Pinder’s address, he continually tried to state (as Andy Green has done in his communication), that this was a vote of confidence issue. After a point of order was raised, even Steve Pinder accepted that was not the motion in front of the EC.
It is important to stress this distinction – the motion had been accepted by Andy Green and the administration as being properly called and set out the provisions under which the chair would be removed. It was not a vote of no confidence, and the motion and speakers had made no reference to such a proposal.
After the debate, Andy Green had to be reminded of exactly how the process works as he appeared to be willing to allow the General Secretary, who is not a member of the Executive Council, but accountable to them, to make a final comment after the right of reply.
The vote was properly conducted and the motion was upheld by a majority of the EC. Rule 14.7 clearly confirms that is all that is required. Andy Green has refused to vacate the Chair since the vote.
The majority of the EC could not condone such undemocratic actions and have adjourned themselves from the meeting with the clear understanding both verbally and in writing that we will rejoin the meeting with the (democratically elected) Vice Chairs in position until this matter is resolved. Hopefully this clears up any misunderstanding that Andy Green’s correspondence may have caused.