Second statement: Steve North

Further Statement on my Suspension from UNISON Roles

Steve North writes:

I am incredibly humbled and heartened by the messages of solidarity and support that I have received from across our union, since the news broke that I have been suspended from all UNISON offices for 18 months.

I am genuinely staggered by how many members, activists and UNISON employees have been willing to lend me their support.

While I need to be careful about what I share at this stage, given that I have a case pending with the Certification Officer and am determined to protect the identities of others, I feel I owe it to those who are supporting me, to shed some light on what has happened.

I cannot yet share the specific findings because of the ongoing Certification Officer case, and I would urge caution against speculation. I have already received a public apology from one UNISON branch who (wrongly) suggested I had engaged in bullying.

All of the allegations relate to my performance as Chair of the UNISON NEC Staffing Committee. The complaint against me was made by a senior officer of UNISON in 2023 and at no point since then have I been subject to any restrictions on any of my roles or interactions with any UNISON members, representatives or employees and nor were any restrictions requested.

I totally reject all allegations of misconduct that were presented against me. There was no misconduct.

My initial hearing in 2024 was conducted by three NEC members, selected by a senior officer.

My recent appeal was conducted by three members of two UNISON Service Group Executives, again selected by a senior officer. In addition to the fact that the allegations against me had no foundation, the procedure adopted in the appeal was significantly flawed. I do not have the space to highlight all the flaws, but they include:

• None of the original panel members attended my appeal. They were not involved in the production of UNISON’s written response to my appeal.

• A paid officer was present to answer questions regarding the original hearing, rather than the Panel themselves.

• I was not permitted to ask questions at my appeal hearing or to question the unions’ written response, only to answer questions put by the Appeal Panel.

• I was not permitted to call any witnesses.

• I was denied the opportunity to put forward the submission I prepared to deliver at my appeal.

These procedural failures were on top of a series of procedural flaws in the original hearing. These include:

• Appointing a Chair who had acted as a witness in a related case.

• No evidence that the Vice Chair of Staffing was consulted on the composition of the hearing panel.

• Disregarding guidance agreed by the NEC on how the process should be managed.

• Allowing the officers presenting against me to introduce new charges without advanced notice and to make prejudicial comments that had nothing to do with the actual allegations.

There was no credible material presented to either the initial hearing or the appeal to warrant a finding that I had committed misconduct of any kind.

I look forward to the Certification Officer’s views on whether UNISON conducted a fair and lawful process against me. It is certainly different from any disciplinary process I have ever come across in my 20 years as a trade union activist.

The outcome has not only denied me the opportunity to finish my year as President, despite the complaint being made the year before I became President, but has removed me from my role of Branch Secretary in Salford and rendered me unable to represent members, even as a steward. This decision, which was implemented without any notice being given to my branch has had a profound impact and most of my time since the announcement has been spent supporting officers, stewards, members and branch staff in Salford to process this news and determine a way forward.

My branch is defiant and they are fighting back against what they rightly see as an attack on their rights. The letter they have sent to UNISON General Secretary, Christina McAnea is a powerful reminder of the strength that exists within the rank and file of our union.

My branch are not walking away from the struggle and neither am I!

I intend to stay and fight, not only to challenge this decision, but to use my rights as a UNISON member (which I remain) to organise to change our union into the one members deserve – one that believes in collective action, in standing up for UNISON policies regardless of how it impacts relationships with the Labour Party and in providing solidarity to working class people everywhere.

It’s time for members to take control of UNISON, to ensure our union gives hope to the millions of ordinary people in this country, who right now feel they have nowhere to turn. If we do this, we can halt the growth of the far right and restore belief in the principle that it is through solidarity, not division that we build a better world. The stakes are high, but I believe we’re up to it.

It’s Time For Real Change!