Messages of support for Jane

Why vote for Jane Doolan?
A message from Tony Madden, former Branch Secretary of Islington UNISON

Most of you reading this will have received your ballot paper and will have read the impressive Election Statements of Jane Doolan and Andrew Berry. Islington Unison is lucky to have two such fine and committed candidates, both of whom have experience of branch officer positions and who will both have experienced the huge pressures such office can bring.  

In their statements they both reference their commitment to key fights and their willingness to continue in these fights in the future; it would be a strange election statement that did not demonstrate such willingness to defend member’s jobs and fight Tory cuts.

As someone who has held the position being contested I can speak directly about what qualities I feel are needed to lead a trade union during periods of financial pressure and uncertain employment. The need for balance, measure, and an understanding of how members really feel is equally as important as to how to deliver campaigns which will fight and oppose government policy. What is needed now right now is experienced and measured leadership. A leadership that understands the need for action but which also has an understanding of what our members are facing. That is never solely about the larger political agenda, as they must face the pressures of today as well the battles of tomorrow. The successful candidate must be able to take our members on this journey.

Jane Doolan has been an active trade unionist for many years and has been at the forefront of many of the largest disputes this branch has ever seen. That experience is needed right now and we will also need her experience and her leadership in campaigning. We will need her experience of communicating to members, to explain the need to be strong and to take action. We will need her to demonstrate those years of leadership and have the strength to take this branch forward on an unprecedented journey and demonstrate a true understanding what that means for members.

Anyone who knows Jane will know she is someone of true fighting spirit, someone who is courageous and someone who is responsible with and to the branch membership. She has shown those qualities in abundance both professionally and personally over many years.

I have already said I think we are lucky to have two such highly qualified candidates and I know that if elected either candidate will not be faulted for their commitment to do what is best for this branch and for its members. Whatever happens in this election I am sure they will both continue to represent the membership with their traditional commitment.

However right now in April 2012 a choice has to be made and I firmly believe this is a time to trust to the candidate with proven leadership experience and I believe that is Jane Doolan and I urge you to vote for her.

Best regards

Tony

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Geraldine Grizzle (Housing and Black Members Group)



"I Support Jane.

I have known janee for many years. She has always been very hard working and polite and have found her very helpful, understanding and full of empathy."

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Mick Ryan (Mechanised Services Shop)



"Jane Doolan is simply the best, always has and always will be.

Jane has done brilliantly to get active career grades for all the staff at a very difficult time in Mechanical Services.

Jane gets our vote everytime."

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Brett Rose says:



"I left another trade union to join UNISON and have to confess that what Jane doesn't know about industrial relations isn't worth knowing.

Jane has also kept industrial relation with other unions in the front of her mind.

I am astonished that anyone has the bare faced nerve to stand against her.

She has represented us so well since we became UNISON members, nobody else is capablee of that.

My shop all have voted for her and urge all of you to vote for her as well."

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Dave Bredon (former Caretaker HFI) says:



"I left another trade union and joined UNISON. I got unswerving support from Jane and the HFI convenor, Denise.

I couldn't have asked for better service and better representation.

Why anybody would stand against Jane astounds me completely.

Vote for Jane."

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Lez Quinn (Youth Offending Team) says:

“I was a member that forgot the values of being a Unison Member and wanted the all the services in the world for my monthly payment. I can't believe how busy Jane and her team are.

SO 1st .Sorry for not chip-in to support the great work you lot do and 2nd'y I will get more involved this year.

I have been talking with Jane to build some kind of Specialist Disable Rep Services.

I have been talking to some very impressive services who want to come on broad to build on the work that Jane has been building. However with Cuts, everyone going though change and demands the Branch services its time for members like me to get off my "dairy air' and chip-in.

Again Sorry for not stepping up and thanks to all the others that have.

I don't know Jane personally but over the years I have see her take on a lot that has benefited me as an employee.

please note that I am Dyslexic so any spelling above that wrong, i think your work it out.”



Lez Quinn

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John Philpott, Libraries Convenor:

"We are very pleased at all the excellent work that Jane put in to prevent the Council introducing a Libraries Trust in this Borough.

Thank you for all that hard work and it should be put on the record how important your work has been in preventing this Trust."

Karen Lucas said:

"I knew who I wanted to vote for the minute that I received my ballot paper. So I did it and posted it straight back."