Unite condemns Plaid Cymru stunt
An attack by Plaid Cymru on Welsh trade unionists who support the Labour Party has been condemned by the biggest union in Wales as a ‘cheap publicity stunt’.
Plaid has set up a website with automatic e-mails to the UK’s trade unions purporting to enable union members to cancel their payment of the political levy used for a range of political campaigns.
Andy Richards, Wales Regional Secretary of UNITE: the union commented:
“This publicity stunt by Plaid Cymru is a crude attempt to weaken our strong and historic link with the Labour Party and to deprive trade unions of a legitimate political role. Members of Unite, like members of other unions, have voted overhwelmingly – in secret ballots – to keep their political voice, and their political fund.
“Typically of Plaid Cymru, this cheap stunt is ill-thought-out and naive. The political fund, which Plaid is asking trade unionists to opt out of, is used to finance all of our political campaigns, from supporting manufacturing in Wales to highlighting the murder of trade unionists in Colombia. If Plaid Cymru, and individuals such as assembly member Leanne Wood, feel that these are issues which we should not be supporting then they should come out and say so.
“Plaid is trying to portray itself as the natural supporter of the trade union movement. But the party’s track record says otherwise. Plaid did not vote to support the minimum wage at Westminster and has campaigned against trade union-supported learning opportunities for Welsh workers funded by Cardiff Bay. Plaid Cymru’s rhetoric and actions are poles apart.”
ENDS
Unite: the union was formed on 1st May 2007 through a merger of amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G)
For further information please contact the Unite press office on 020 7611 2550
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