"Leading from the front and making a difference"

Dear Colleague,

"Branches are the lifeblood of our union"

All our policy and all our elections start with you at the branch.

You along with the shop stewards are the union.

Last year, I asked for your support in the election for Deputy General Secretary. I am deeply grateful to all those branches that gave me their support and worked tirelessly for a stunning victory. The warmth of the reception I received when I visited many workplaces during that campaign proved what I have long believed - T&G members want, and need, the vision for change that I am arguing for.

I stood on a platform of "Vote for change and make a difference". As Deputy General Secretary, I have been advocating these changes, which are vital to you - the members. As General Secretary, I will implement those changes. I will re-focus our time, money and effort on to supporting the people who pay our wages - the members.

I want your help to reclaim all that is best in the T&G culture, so that we can, once again, become a campaigning union, a growing union, a united and tolerant union in which fear plays no part, but above all a fighting back union.

I promise you that, when elected, I will make that difference. I am standing to change the T&G.

That's why I am asking your branch to support my candidature for General Secretary. Already I've received overwhelming support from all of our regions and from every single trade group.

I support a future for the T&G that delivers

I am standing for election as an industrial officer with a track record second to none of supporting members in struggle. Whilst, of course, you can't please everyone all of the time, members need to trust that the T&G is really working to support real people at the sharp end. I am standing, to focus our efforts, time and money on the workplace priorities of our members.

To some of our members the election of a General Secretary may seem pretty remote from the things that concern them in their daily lives.

I understand that view.
But if all of us - the branch officials, shop stewards and reps, officers and staff - are to ensure that we really win for the membership at work, it is vital that the T&G has a General Secretary able to provide leadership and vision, to speak up for our members' real interests, be it with government or employers, relates to their needs and express their hopes and fears. Someone who can make all our members proud to be T&G.

"Vote for change and make a difference" is not an empty phrase to me.

Judge me by my record of achievement - as the chief negotiator for the car industry, as a convenor and a regional official - I have always fought for the members and have continued to do so as Deputy General Secretary.

Some of the issues I highlighted in my campaign to be DGS have come to fruition since my election.

But I want to see other improvements, other changes.

"I want a union that does the business - not a business union"

"I see the T&G at the cutting edge of industrial progress. Members don't just want cheap insurance and free wills, I don't know anyone who joined the union for these reasons, working people want protection at work and real improvements to their pay and conditions."

My philosophy is "if we fight we may not always win, but if we don't fight we will surely lose". This approach has served me well throughout my trade union life and I do not intend to change it now.

So this is the basis on which I ask for your branch's support - 100% commitment to winning the best for the men and women who make up our great union. Together we can face the future knowing that branches will have a key role in maintaining and developing the democratic structure of the T&G in helping to better service our members and in shaping our policy for the future.

I want a union in which men and women will be proud to tell their friends - I am a T&G member.

Enclosed is my manifesto, which details my views on various issues.

If your branch has a similar vision, with similar aims and objectives, I request your support and assistance in reaching out for those goals.

My best wishes to you and your Branch Committee members who do such a vital job for our union - day in and day out.

In solidarity,

Membership details: Branch 6/764
Membership number: 5953041
Date of entry: 2.1.1967

(Your branch does not need my signature when sending off your nomination form.)

Remember to fill in and sign the data protection section on the nomination form.

If you want to help

If you want to talk/meet

If you have any ideas

CONTACT US ON
Telephone 0151 339 9979 / 0151 347 9952 / 07751516931/ 07960351953 / 07780618439
E-mail campaign@tonywoodley.com
Website www.tonywoodley.com