Britain’s second largest teaching union has agreed to re-open nominations for the position of general secretary following “further legal advice” after its appointment of the Cobryn-supporting former leader of the firefighters’ union to the role in an unopposed election.
On Sunday, the NASUWT stated that Matt Wrack, who was controversially installed as general secretary last week, would serve as acting general secretary while a democratic contest takes place.
Wrack, who served as general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union for 20 years and has never been a teacher, was nominated by the NASUWT’s executive council, rather than through a ballot of members.
Neil Butler, the union’s National Officer for Wales, took the case to the High Court, after he claimed there were procedural irregularities in Wrack’s appointment to the union’s top job.
On Monday, a consent order between Butler and the union was reached, confirming that he was allowed to seek nominations for the position of general secretary.
He told the press that he was “pleased that our union has finally listened to the concerns raised by myself and many members and has re-opened the general secretary nominations to all eligible candidates”.
He added: “Above all, the rights of NASUWT members to choose their leader freely and democratically must be upheld. It is a shame that this matter was not resolved before legal proceedings were issued.”
But he lamented that: “So much time, and valuable union funds, have been wasted because of a failure to follow what was clearly stated in the union's rules. This is a significant moment for our union, and I look forward to fully participating in a transparent process that ensures every member’s voice is heard.”
Robert Lewis, Partner at Mishcon de Reya, who represented Butler, said: “Today’s agreement to re-open the nomination process underscores the importance of trade unions following their own rulebooks in conducting free and fair elections.
“From a legal standpoint, this case is unique. We are not aware of any previous precedent for a union being forced to withdraw the appointment of a General Secretary on legal grounds. The case demonstrates that members and prospective candidates can, and should, hold unions to account if they believe key democratic principles have been overlooked”, he added, while welcoming NASUWT’s decision to reach the consent order.
According to the timetable unveiled by the union, the nominations period is open until May 26, where local associations are able to nominate candidates – whether they are members of the union or not.
Should it be required, a ballot of members would then take place between June 19 and July 23.
Last week, the JC revealed that a number of Jewish teachers had signed an open letter to the NASUWT’s executive committee expressing fear over Wrack’s appointment.
In a union conference in 2016, Wrack referred to the “so-called antisemitism in the Labour Party” which he said was “about an attack on the left, and it is about an attempt to undermine Jeremy Corbyn.”
In 2018, he attacked the decision by pro-Corbyn faction Momentum to withdraw support for Pete Willsman after he was recorded saying that Jewish “Trump fanatics” were making false claims of antisemitism in the party and denied the problem was widespread.
One Jewish teacher said she was concerned about not having a union leader who fully understands the eruption in antisemitism since October 7.
Politicians from three different political parties, as well as the Jewish Labour Movement and Jewish Leadership Council, had all expressed concern over Wrack’s appointment.
