[A-List] UK state: trade unions

["Keaney Michael" <Michael.Keaney@xxxxxx>]

The name of John Spellar keeps cropping up. Usually in connection with
his closeness to "Sir" Ken Jackson, deposed leader of Amicus, but also
when he was a defence minister attending briefings by then-Halliburton
CEO Dick Cheney on the privatisation of UK army logistical support.

See http://archives.econ.utah.edu/archives/a-list/2002w40/msg00025.htm


Blair urged to stop minister 'meddling' in union hit by vote-rigging
scandal
By Barrie Clement Labour Editor
The Independent, 04 October 2002

The left-wing leader-elect of the Labour Party's biggest affiliate has
demanded that Tony Blair take action to prevent a senior government
minister meddling in his union's internal politics.

Derek Simpson, the general secretary-elect of Amicus-AEEU, has asked the
Prime Minister to restrain the Transport minister John Spellar, who has
acted as a right-wing "fixer'' on behalf of the Government.

Mr Spellar was involved in the unsuccessful and controversial campaign
by Sir Ken Jackson, generally regarded as Mr Blair's favourite union
leader, to retain the leadership of Amicus-AEEU. While six officials of
the union have admitted attempting to rig the nominating process, Sir
Ken has denied any involvement in malpractice.

As part of an initiative to build bridges with Mr Simpson, Downing
Street sources said yesterday that Mr Blair had made it clear he had
little personal contact with Mr Spellar.

Referring to a meeting between the Prime Minister and Mr Simpson soon
after his election, one left-wing union official said: "Derek asked the
Prime Minister why Spellar was involved in the union election and
whether it was prudent for a busy Transport minister to spend so much
time with the union.''

Sources in Downing Street said the reply from Mr Blair was, "I don't
really know him''. Labour Party sources said the Downing Street account
of the exchange between the two men at Mr Blair's constituency home at
Sedgefield in August was an obvious attempt to disown the Transport
minister.

Mr Spellar is understood to have advised Sir Ken not to accept his
narrow defeat, even after the fourth recount showed a Simpson victory.
Mr Spellar, who became a minister in 1997, has kept an office at the
union's headquarters in Bromley and has been closely identified with the
right-wing faction that kept a tight grip on the organisation until Mr
Simpson's surprise victory.

This week at the Labour Party conference in Blackpool, Mr Spellar was
still advising Sir Ken and held numerous discussions with the right-wing
grouping in the union.

Documents show that the Transport minister, once a research officer in a
forerunner of Amicus-AEEU, donated £30 towards Sir Ken's campaign.

Mr Spellar's political star has waned in recent months. His right to
attend cabinet meetings was withdrawn when Alistair Darling took over
from Stephen Byers as Secretary of State for Transport. Mr Darling has
since taken over some of Mr Spellar's ministerial responsibilities.

The right-led executive at the union has rejected calls for an internal
inquiry into allegations that Sir Ken was personally involved in
planning double-voting during the nominating process. The executive
contends that it has not been presented with any evidence.

Roger Maskell, the former secretary of the union in London and the
South-east, who left the union after admitting his involvement in the
malpractice, has made the allegations against Sir Ken. Sir Ken has
expressed confidence that he will be able to prove that he was not
involved.

Both Mr Maskell and Sir Ken intend to present evidence at an employment
tribunal where Mr Maskell is due to claim unfair dismissal from the
union.