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Stewards appeal to TUC

19th October 1973
Page 23
Page 23, 19th October 1973 — Stewards appeal to TUC
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

in URTU squabble by John Darker • The internal union dispute between shop stewards of Region 13 (Stockport area) of the United Road Transport Union and the executive body of the union, (CM August 31) was, I understand, not satisfactorily settled by the committee of inquiry.

Five shop stewards from Region 13 have now written to the Trades Union Congress — specifically, to Bros Joe Gormley, Jack Jones and Hugh Scanlon, representing respectively the Miners, TGWU and AUEW — calling for "your help in getting to the truth". The shop stewards recognize that their appeal to the TUC is unconstitutional but they ask the recipients of the letter, and accompanying statements, to "respond as men and not as general secretaries or presidents".

The stewards say they have attempted to get "justice" through the procedure of their own union but feel that their views have been ignored.

The statement of the region 13 stewards says they learned on August 18 that their regional officer was to be sacked, and that he was accordingly summoned to the union's headquarters at Manchester to face charges that he failed to take the mail and failed to supply a report. The stewards claim that there have been two attempts to "smear" John Stevenson. "one alleging a £400 bribe", and the other — through the medium of an allegedly faked minute book (since destroyed) — that the regional membership wanted him dismissed.

It is claimed that Bro Jack Shepard. of Sam Longsons, wrote to the general secretary (Mr Jackson Moore) requesting a meeting between the union's executive and a deputation from region 13 prior to the disciplinary inquiry, but that no trace of this letter has been found in headquarters.

At the disciplinary enquiry. say the stewards, "quite nasty scenes took place culminating in the police being called".

Mass picketing

The stewards say that Mr Stevenson agrees that "it was only the mass picketing that resulted in the watering down of the charges". At the inquiry it was agreed that a five-man deputation could meet the executive in two weeks' time.

The deputation from region 13 consisted of the five signatories of the appeal to the TUC leaders. At a meeting on September 1 it was agreed that a sub-committee of the union should investigate written allegations from Region 13. It consisted of Jackson Moore, general secretary, Len Bateman, president, Ernest Gawne, an executive member from Liverpool and an observer from Region 13, James Wright.

The stewards letter says that at the inquiry on September 10 and 11 John Stevenson said he was prepared to give evidence on oath if others concerned in the charges brought against him would do so. The stewards stress to the TUC leaders that a "trial" in which the "prosecution" is not subjected to cross-examination is unfair, and they allege that an invitation to the executive of the union to visit Stockport to meet the rank and file of shop stewards has not been accepted.

The stewards claim to the TUC: "John Stevenson is a damn good officer and we are determined to keep him. His heart and soul is in fighting for truck drivers and we are fed up with being the Cinderella& of industry". The president, general secretary and the executive of URTU are challenged to find fault with Mr Stevenson as a trade unionist, and the TUC leaders are urged to sponsor an impartial hearing.

Approached by me this week, Mr Jackson Moore declined to comment on this affair.

The normal reaction of the TUC to allegations of maladministration within a particular trade union is to refer the matter back to the union concerned.

Pavement ban

• The Greater London Council is planning to ban drivers from parking on pavements and verges in the Area. This follows a request from the London Boroughs' Association which is concerned that the present laws are not enough and are not consistent throughout the GLC area.

If the new legislation required goes ahead the powers would become effective in the autumn of 1974. Where practicable a fixed penalty would be operated.


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