New role for Tony Woodley, Unite joint general secretary
17 December 2010
Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, the country's
biggest union, has today (Friday) announced that he will step down
from that office on January 31, 2011.
The move follows the election of Len McCluskey as Unite general
secretary in November.
Writing to the members of Unite's governing body, the Executive
Council, Tony Woodley says: "Like all of you, I have been
overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and optimism throughout Unite
following the conclusion of the election for general
secretary-designate. It is clear that our whole union is now ready
to move on in a unified way under the new leadership chosen by our
members.
"You will be aware that under the provisions of the union's rule
book, I should remain as general secretary for a further year. I
cannot be persuaded that is a sensible course of action – it is not
in the best interests of the union, or of Len himself, to have
another twelve months of two-headed direction of Unite.
"It is, therefore, my intention to resign as general secretary
of Unite the union as from January 31 2011. Len McCluskey will then
become, in the new year, Unite’s first and sole general
secretary.
"However, I am pleased to say that I am not jumping ship – I
will continue to work for the union until my normal retirement age
of 65."
Announcing Tony Woodley's new role as Unite's executive officer
for organising, general secretary-elect, Len McCluskey said: "Tony
Woodley will be rightly regarded as one of the defining union
leaders of modern times. It was not be easy for him to make
this decision but it is testimony to Tony that he believes that to
do so is in the best interests of our union.
"I am delighted to say that Tony will carry on contributing to
Unite's work. His role as Unite's executive officer for
organising will help this union deliver on its pledge to stop the
most vicious attacks on the lives of working people for
generations."
Tony Woodley will also continue to lead on the union's attempts
to settle the BA dispute. Tony was elected general secretary of the
Transport and General Workers Union in 2003 going on to become
joint general secretary in the newly-formed Unite with Derek
Simpson in May 2005. Derek Simpson retires from Unite on
December 23rd, 2010.
ENDS
For further information please contact Pauline Doyle on 0797 832
861
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