Model Labour Party motion: Defend Paul Holmes!

Below is wording of a motion to support Paul Holmes, UNISON’s National President.

We would encourage all Labour Party comrades to table this motion at relevant branch and constituency party meetings. Please feel free to share the wording of the motion wherever you feel it would be helpful.

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[This Labour Party branch] condemns the decision of Kirklees Council on 2nd February 2022 to dismiss Kirklees Unison Branch Secretary and Unison National President, Paul Holmes. Paul has been Branch Secretary of Kirklees Unison for 32 years, a Unison steward for 46 years and a Council employee for 48 years (one of the ten longest-serving employees in the Council). He has a completely unblemished record. His dismissal follows him being suspended by the Council for over 2 years and 2 months. The investigation was undertaken by a private consultant and was completed 18 months ago. No trade unionist can accept that an employer can dismiss a union representative for carrying out their trade union duties and activities in an independent trade union. It is up to an independent trade union and its members to choose their representatives, not an employer.

[This Labour Party branch] resolves to send the wording of this motion in protest to the Leader of Kirklees Council, Shabir Pandor at shabir.pandor@kirklees.gov.uk and to call on him to reinstate Paul Holmes.