UNISON - a true story of lies, deceit, cover-up and conspiracy.
UNISON began its political life in approximately 1995 as a merger between two public service unions; NALGO and NUPE.
Many members however hold the opinion that despite the evident increase in political power and strength it holds as a result, it has become far less effective than its predecessors.
The most disturbing aspect of the CCTV case of 1999 was revealed when information led us straight back to the very organisation in which we firmly believed, as paying members, were there for our personal protection in the workplace - UNISON.
Our local branch secretary – we are all still members – now refuses to meet when we request meetings, takes legal advice from the union’s solicitors, Thompson’s Solicitors, before replying to us, or instead requests that Thompson’s make dismissive replies on the behalf of the branch. Alternatively – no replies are received whatsoever.
UNISON has side-stepped the issues in question, ignored telephone messages, fax messages and letters. They have made every attempt possible to cover up our plight and have supported and condoned the actions of rogue representatives and their minions. It is our assumption that during 1999, they may have withheld information from the police. To date they have refused to hold disciplinary proceedings against their guilty members – who continue to be protected by their union.
We now invite UNISON to restore our faith in our union and co-operate.
This is not an isolated action at the South Tyneside local government branch, either. Similar resistance has also been met at the regional office of UNISON, based in Newcastle upon Tyne. In addition, the National Headquarters of UNISON in London also appear to wish to remain detached from the events, despite being informed of the matters which have been left to get completely out of control here at South Tyneside.
In the coming weeks we will reveal the complete details of the corruption and cover-up of this union at branch and regional level, and will reveal some startling truth regarding the guilty representative, including;
How the very same UNISON shop steward who created the CCTV tape theory – cost South Tyneside Council – and therefore YOU, the tax payer - a ‘substantial’ sum of money in 1996 and put the security of hundreds of elderly people at immediate safety and security risk.
Do YOU condone the behaviour of this union?
The above letter, dated February 2007, was UNISON's 'final' official response to the campaign for full investigation into the South Tyneside Local Government branch, prior to the creation of this website in late March 2008. Ms. Hale incorrectly stated in her letter that all matters had been fully investigated. This is untrue. At the meeting, held in 2002 in Newcastle, and with 3 witnesses present, we explained the evidence that we had at that time. The meeting itself, which we demanded with UNISON hierarchy, took almost two years to arrange.
Since that meeting, the culprits responsible for the 'CCTV tape theory' have been positively identified. Their names were passed to the union office, demanding their expulsion from the union forthwith. The above letter demonstrates how ineffectual, and how unhelpful UNISON have been in the matters covered in this website. Every attempt has been made by this union, at regional and local level, to 'cover up'.
It should also be stated that the South Shields branch of UNISON were fully aware as to the identity of the culprits from it's very beginnings.
UNISON now has been given a public opportunity to explain their actions. Below is an open letter to the UNISON South Tyneside Local Government branch Secretary Mr. Mervyn Butler.
No doubt, as per usual, he will seek internal legal advice before replying to his own members.
Above: UNISON South Tyneside LG branch secretary Merv Butler.
An Open Letter to Mr. Mervyn Butler, Branch Secretary, UNISON – South Tyneside Local Government branch, South Shields.
Monday 7th April 2008.
Dear Mr. Butler,
www.corruptcouncils.co.uk , has taken the step to make a very public matter regarding what we ('we' being 'corruptcouncils.co.uk') consider to be some extremely disturbing behaviour and conduct from your union – UNISON - at the South Tyneside branch and its regional headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Webmaster and two other former work colleagues have all consistently corresponded between you and the regional office for almost a decade now regarding the CCTV case which occurred at South Tyneside Council’s Warden Services/Central Control Unit, and for a further 18 months prior to that with regard to a dismissal of Mr. K.E (from September 1997) and ensuing ‘harassment claims’ originating from January 1998, also at the above premises and department.
Despite repeated attempts to secure explanations, you have either side-stepped the issue, refused to comment, refused to reply or denied any or all knowledge.
CCUK now gives you a very public opportunity to explain your actions, the actions of your branch, your representatives, and your regional office.
Your response will of course be published, but the website will also notify of your silence if we do not receive any reply from you.
We have a number of unanswered questions which we feel we must ask you to explain.
CCTV Case 1999 – 2004.
During the onset of the CCTV case at South Tyneside Council in May-June 1999, you were made aware of a hypothesis, devised and originated by one of your own union representatives working at the South Shields Central Control Unit, which directly cost the livelihood and health and wellbeing of another union member and in our opinion, destroyed the legal opportunities of the rest of the involved members which a legal compensation case would have brought, if given the full information without false allegations or unnecessary ‘conflicts of interest’ - directly caused by the lies of your very own union representative and her sidekick.
Neither you personally nor the union as a whole did anything to prevent this.
In fact, you supported, protected and condoned this individual, her male accomplice and their ensuing actions.
When first challenged as to the identity of the culprits, who we consider to have attempted to conspire to pervert the course of justice and wasted police time, you denied any knowledge.
As further information came to light, we again confronted you with our findings and asked you if you knew the identities of the persons responsible. You replied “Yes” – indicating you were well aware. When we further pressed you to reveal the identities of those responsible, you said “No”.
We informed you at the time that our investigations would never cease until we identified the culprits and held them accountable; we have since achieved the first element of that objective.
We know their names and identities. We were precise all the long – and you knew that. We are acutely aware that the root and origin of the bogus theory lays with one person and one person only – your very own UNISON representative working with Warden Services/Central Control Unit, South Tyneside Council. Whilst we note that she had a male sidekick/accomplice in this theory, we do not consider that he was intellectually capable or conniving enough to create such an atrocity independently – or at least without mentoring and manipulation. However, he was wholly complicit in the incidents.
Your silences, denials and refusals of assistance to resolve this ongoing matter have resulted in this website.
We HAVE identified them – despite UNISON’s 9 year effort to prevent us from discovering their identities.
Maybe it is appropriate for a timely reminder as to the nature and mission of a union – as clearly; you do not appear to understand it nor abide by it.
A union exists primarily, to protect its members and the workforce as a whole. It is expected to treat all of its members, irrespective of colour, creed, disability, political preference or religion in equal measure.
UNISON is not a private detective agency and does not take decisions to accuse its members of criminal acts or to harbour and protect potentially and - in our opinion - criminal activity.
Your branch, Mr. Butler, decided to be both of the above in 1999. Please explain the devastating implications of the actions and counterfeit accusations caused by your very own Miss Marple to her directly – whose idiotic and malevolent attempts at playing private detective got it monumentally wrong to the severe detriment of innocent parties.
Without a shred of evidence to support these outrageous claims, your union representative created a ludicrous and fictitious hypothesis which, according to a meeting held with council management in Monday 3rd July 2000, and as quoted by Personnel Officer Mr. Graham Fells, set the internal and police investigations “…on completely the wrong track for about three weeks”.
This statement was concurred with by the Manager of Warden Services/Central Control Unit who was also in attendance at the meeting. Also present were Mrs. Norma Richardson, yourself {Mr. M. Butler – Unison}, Mr. B.Fox and Mr. J.Stokoe.
We have audio recording and transcript evidence of this conference in our archives.
This was valuable investigation time wasted – by a union representative - during a joint council and police enquiry. Do you comprehend the seriousness and the implications of this action?
Your branch was therefore complicit in the prolonged torment (by at least 3 weeks) of all of those innocent persons affected during the investigations.
We believe that you must now at personal and union level accept your responsibilities in this matter and commence to make amends.
We campaign for and insist that the offending individuals are now expelled from UNISON forthwith and that reparations are made to the lives of those affected directly by the false accusations.
The persons responsible are the Warden Service named UNISON member and Representative (South Tyneside Council) and a named male UNISON member and council employee (Warden Services – South Tyneside Council).
Dear Mr. Butler,
www.corruptcouncils.co.uk , has taken the step to make a very public matter regarding what we ('we' being 'corruptcouncils.co.uk') consider to be some extremely disturbing behaviour and conduct from your union – UNISON - at the South Tyneside branch and its regional headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Webmaster and two other former work colleagues have all consistently corresponded between you and the regional office for almost a decade now regarding the CCTV case which occurred at South Tyneside Council’s Warden Services/Central Control Unit, and for a further 18 months prior to that with regard to a dismissal of Mr. K.E (from September 1997) and ensuing ‘harassment claims’ originating from January 1998, also at the above premises and department.
Despite repeated attempts to secure explanations, you have either side-stepped the issue, refused to comment, refused to reply or denied any or all knowledge.
CCUK now gives you a very public opportunity to explain your actions, the actions of your branch, your representatives, and your regional office.
Your response will of course be published, but the website will also notify of your silence if we do not receive any reply from you.
We have a number of unanswered questions which we feel we must ask you to explain.
CCTV Case 1999 – 2004.
During the onset of the CCTV case at South Tyneside Council in May-June 1999, you were made aware of a hypothesis, devised and originated by one of your own union representatives working at the South Shields Central Control Unit, which directly cost the livelihood and health and wellbeing of another union member and in our opinion, destroyed the legal opportunities of the rest of the involved members which a legal compensation case would have brought, if given the full information without false allegations or unnecessary ‘conflicts of interest’ - directly caused by the lies of your very own union representative and her sidekick.
Neither you personally nor the union as a whole did anything to prevent this.
In fact, you supported, protected and condoned this individual, her male accomplice and their ensuing actions.
When first challenged as to the identity of the culprits, who we consider to have attempted to conspire to pervert the course of justice and wasted police time, you denied any knowledge.
As further information came to light, we again confronted you with our findings and asked you if you knew the identities of the persons responsible. You replied “Yes” – indicating you were well aware. When we further pressed you to reveal the identities of those responsible, you said “No”.
We informed you at the time that our investigations would never cease until we identified the culprits and held them accountable; we have since achieved the first element of that objective.
We know their names and identities. We were precise all the long – and you knew that. We are acutely aware that the root and origin of the bogus theory lays with one person and one person only – your very own UNISON representative working with Warden Services/Central Control Unit, South Tyneside Council. Whilst we note that she had a male sidekick/accomplice in this theory, we do not consider that he was intellectually capable or conniving enough to create such an atrocity independently – or at least without mentoring and manipulation. However, he was wholly complicit in the incidents.
Your silences, denials and refusals of assistance to resolve this ongoing matter have resulted in this website.
We HAVE identified them – despite UNISON’s 9 year effort to prevent us from discovering their identities.
Maybe it is appropriate for a timely reminder as to the nature and mission of a union – as clearly; you do not appear to understand it nor abide by it.
A union exists primarily, to protect its members and the workforce as a whole. It is expected to treat all of its members, irrespective of colour, creed, disability, political preference or religion in equal measure.
UNISON is not a private detective agency and does not take decisions to accuse its members of criminal acts or to harbour and protect potentially and - in our opinion - criminal activity.
Your branch, Mr. Butler, decided to be both of the above in 1999. Please explain the devastating implications of the actions and counterfeit accusations caused by your very own Miss Marple to her directly – whose idiotic and malevolent attempts at playing private detective got it monumentally wrong to the severe detriment of innocent parties.
Without a shred of evidence to support these outrageous claims, your union representative created a ludicrous and fictitious hypothesis which, according to a meeting held with council management in Monday 3rd July 2000, and as quoted by Personnel Officer Mr. Graham Fells, set the internal and police investigations “…on completely the wrong track for about three weeks”.
This statement was concurred with by the Manager of Warden Services/Central Control Unit who was also in attendance at the meeting. Also present were Mrs. Norma Richardson, yourself {Mr. M. Butler – Unison}, Mr. B.Fox and Mr. J.Stokoe.
We have audio recording and transcript evidence of this conference in our archives.
This was valuable investigation time wasted – by a union representative - during a joint council and police enquiry. Do you comprehend the seriousness and the implications of this action?
Your branch was therefore complicit in the prolonged torment (by at least 3 weeks) of all of those innocent persons affected during the investigations.
We believe that you must now at personal and union level accept your responsibilities in this matter and commence to make amends.
We campaign for and insist that the offending individuals are now expelled from UNISON forthwith and that reparations are made to the lives of those affected directly by the false accusations.
The persons responsible are the Warden Service named UNISON member and Representative (South Tyneside Council) and a named male UNISON member and council employee (Warden Services – South Tyneside Council).
In effect, we have been treated less favourably than other union members; namely, our accusers and conspirators.
It may also be time that perhaps you searched your own conscience and questioned your own continued position as branch secretary – which in our opinion is untenable under the present circumstances. You have left loss of job and career, loss of earnings, loss of financial security, extreme financial difficulties, debt and dramatic loss of physical and mental health to the innocent victims of this incident - also union members - who are indisputably revolted at your branch’s conduct and behaviour. We, your victims, were not given the same support or assistance than the perpetrators.
Until now the actions of your branch, your representatives and union officials have been kept well under wraps and out of any negative publicity.
Until now.
As stated frequently on this website, we are open to any peaceful negotiation and settlements of the matters raised and are prepared to meet yourself and any other union officials at any time; but must state again that this subject, as Ms. Gill Hale (UNISON Regional Secretary) attempted to permanently cover up in February 2007 and is clearly evidenced upon this website; this matter is most certainly not “closed”.
We await your prompt response and actions – as do the readership of this website.
Yours Sincerely,
