Coyne bids for top job at UK’s biggest union
AFORMER Birmingham councillor could become the leader of Britain’s biggest trade union. Gerard Coyne, who represented the Longbridge ward on Birmingham City Council, is standing to become General Secretary of Unite, which represents 1.4 million workers.
The voting deadline is August 23, and the result will be announced on August 26. Mr Coyne is one of three candidates.
While the result is important for Unite’s members, including thousands of people in the West Midlands, it could also be important for the Labour Party – the union is Labour’s biggest donor and provided £3m in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
Outgoing Unite leader Len McCluskey was a vocal supporter of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and backed him when Labour’s own MPs wanted Mr Corbyn replaced.
Mr Coyne said he will ensure the union focuses on representing its members, rather than interfering in Labour’s internal politics. His opponents are both seen as being on the left, while he is considered the more centre-ground candidate.
Mr Coyne said: “This election is important for our members. In recent times, I don’t think the union has had the focus it should have done on their pay and conditions and job security.
“Members tell me they haven’t had the support they would have expected throughout the pandemic.
“I have made it very clear I will focus every single penny that is spent, of their money, on the services Unite provides.”
Mr Coyne has called for an inquiry into how the union under Mr McCluskey’s leadership spent £98 million of members’ money on a Birmingham hotel and conference centre, which also houses Unite’s regional headquarters. The scheme, on Jennens Road near Aston University, was originally expected to cost just £7 million.
Mr Coyne was a councillor from 1995 to 2002, and served as cabinet member for urban and economic regeneration.
With many of Unite’s members working in manufacturing, there are some positive signs in the West Midlands, including Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) investment in electric vehicles, and the prospect of a car battery factory in Coventry. At the same time, there are questions about JLR’s longterm commitment to its Castle Bromwich plant and GKN Automotive has confirmed plans to close its Erdington plant, with the loss of 500 jobs.
Mr Coyne wants a “green training dividend”, so that employers contribute to the cost of retraining redundant staff for jobs in environmentallyfriendly manufacturing.
“In terms of the transition to a green economy, I think the challenge for the West Midlands in particular is to ensure we transition into those green jobs without losing skills.”