GENERAL ELECTION Fight for our future
Addressing Unite’s 1200-strong officer and organiser corps in Birmingham in January, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey warned that the Tories’ immense spending power, allied to their wealthy backers and a loyal media, means the country faces a one-sided campaign in May – placing a ‘duty of democracy’ on Unite to support Labour.
He called for the union’s members and organisers to get working for a Labour victory.
He said the upcoming election was a “fight for the future of our society”, and pointed out that the Conservative Party’s policies will only benefit the very rich, to the detriment of everyone else, with the poor and vulnerable being hit the hardest.
The stakes this May have never been higher and Len condemned those who
BUS HERO Bus driver to the rescue
Bus drivers have got to keep their wits about them – and one Unite member’s quick-thinking meant he was able to successfully help a man escape from a burning building in Braintree, Essex in February.
Passers-by flagged down off-duty bus driver of eight years, Andy Waterman, who positioned his double-decker close to the roof of the flat, allowing the man to jump about 10ft to safety.
Firefighters then arrived and pitched a ladder to help the man to the ground.
Blaze – eight crews fought the fire
Mr Waterman explained, “A group of people started flagging me down and they were asking me to stop. I asked them what the problem was and they said a man was stuck on the roof of his flat because it
9 uniteWORKS Spring 2015
was on fire. I drove nearer and all I could see was thick, black smoke.
“I saw the man and thought ‘We’ve got to get him to safety’. It wasn’t until I got home that someone said that I had saved a life. I am just pleased the man is alive.” Mr Waterman is now to receive a commendation.
Unite regional secretary Peter Kavanagh said, “Our bus driver members often go beyond their job descriptions and the call of duty by acting as peace-keeper, social worker, guide – but Andy’s skill literally saved some-one’s life. Sadly bus drivers are seldom accorded the respect their position of responsibility merits, but hopefully Andy’s actions will have given the profession some deserved recognition. Unite is proud of him.”
At stake – our communities
have sought to undermine the Labour Party and its leader Ed Miliband. A break from the politicians of Labour’s past was key.
“I say to Ed Miliband – have the courage of your convictions and ignore these blasts from the past,” he added.
Essex Community Fire and Rescue
Mark Thomas
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36