Republican News · Thursday 15 May 2003

T&G candidate pledges to reinstate O'Reilly

Liverpool man Tony Woodley has been tipped as favourite for next week's T&G election for a new General Secretary to replace Bill Morris. He is being given full support from the majority of the union's members in Ireland (ATGWU), after promising to reinstate Mick O'Reilly and Eugene McGlone to their positions of Irish Regional Secretary and Irish Regional Organiser, respectively, following their unfair dismissal from these posts a year ago.

Woodley is contesting the election against Jimmy Elsby - acting Irish Regional Secretary, Jack Dromey and Barry Camfield. He has previously been a shop steward, a District Secretary, a National Officer and since last year, Deputy General Secretary of the Union.

Some 28 branches, with 27,135 members, totalling 60% of all members in Ireland, have pledged their support for him.

In an election speech, Tony declared that he would recognise the established rules "that the members in Ireland have the responsibility for governing the affairs of the union in Ireland".

He said the suspension of the two men in 2001 and subsequent dismissal in 2002 was an "onslaught" on the union's proud traditions.

"I am committed to the reversal of any injustices which occurred during the imposed disciplinary procedures, which will mean using all my power and influence to restore Mick and Eugene as Regional Secretary and Regional Organiser," he added.

Due to the enormous resistance of the T&G membership to the imposition of the disciplinary charges by outgoing General Secretary Bill Morris, and the integrity of Mick and Eugene, a victory of re-employment for both officers was achieved in March this year. But while the two men received their old salaries and were given positions as senior Industrial Officers, they were not given their old jobs back.

Kevin McCorry, a qualified solicitor and member of the ATGWU, represented Mick O'Reilly at his disciplinary hearing in London and said that he had never seen "such total disregard for justice and fair play, and blatant abuse of power levelled against an individual as I have witnessed in this case".

It is widely believed that the two men were considered a thorn in the side of the union's leadership, and that the charges against them were trumped up.

Members of the union have already received their ballot papers, which are to be returned by post by next week.

Union sources say that Woodley's electtion will guarantee that the two Irish officials will be returned to their previous positions.