Hayes re-elected at CWU in UK
Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Billy Hayes has been re-elected for a third term in office. Elections are held at least every five years for the post of general secretary, which is the leader of the union.
Nominations closed yesterday (Monday) and Billy Hayes was the only candidate nominated by the union’s branches. He is therefore elected unopposed.
Hayes said: “There are huge challenges facing the industries in which our members work and I’m grateful for the endorsement of this union’s members to continue leading the CWU.
“It is a privilege to lead this union. Communication industries are changing, but this union will continue to provide the best possible representation for postal, telecommunication and financial services staff.
“I will continue to develop and integrate the best traditions of the union movement; ensuring that our organisation is strong and confident, equal opportunities remain central and we retain an effective position within the TUC and Labour Party.
“More now than ever working people need trade unions. The attacks from government on working practices through wage freezes, pension changes and barriers to legal representation are daunting. The reality of Cameron’s Big Society is mass job losses, attacks on public services and on working and vulnerable people. There is an alternative and trade unions are at the forefront of fighting for better, socially-just change. I urge anyone who is not a member to join a trade union today.”
Hayes was first elected CWU general secretary in 2001 and re-elected in 2006. He has been a CWU activist since 1978.
CWU represents 215,000 members in postal, telecommunication and financial services industries.
On Saturday, Hayes spoke at a CWU protest in Birmingham against the privatisation of Royal Mail.
