John McDonnell supports Paul Holmes for General Secretary

Labour MP John McDonnell welcomed the candidacy of leading Yorkshire trade unionist, Paul Holmes, for General Secretary of UNISON, the largest public sector trade union. "Paul epitomises the strength of our movement," said Mr McDonnell, "he the elected Secretary of a union branch where more than eighty per cent of workers are in the Union and he has a track record of fighting for workers rights." At meeting with Mr Holmes at the House of Commons, John McDonnell MP, speaking as a UNISON member, emphasised his support his for the candidacy of an ordinary UNISON member to lead the union; "Just as Mark Serwotka has shown how a rank and file civil servant has been the best leader for the civil service trade union, PCS, so I beleive that an ordinary local government worker like Paul Holmes can be the best leader for UNISON, the largest public service union." "With threats of job losses and attacks on pay and pensions throughout the public sector, UNISON needs a stronger and better leadership to meet these challenges. I know that Paul Holmes offers our UNISON members this strong leadership," said Mr McDonnell.