SIPTU Election: the Count, children of the night, the Count.

by Stephen Lewis - Irish Socialist Network Fri Feb 27, 2004 22:42

The ISN wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Des Derwin on recieving the large number of votes secured for his campaign during the election for Vice President of SIPTU.
It must be taken by all of us active and on the left within both SIPTU and other Unions, as a valuable lesson.The lesson we can learn from this campaign is that a united left can combine and mount a substanial threat to the partnership consensus that operates at a union leadership level.
How long will it be before that united left make the breakthrough when it operates in an open, honest, comradely and non sectarian manner.
Let us take heart from this stark fact.Only two branches nominated Des Derwin at the outset of this campaign.His rival in this campaign was already a full time Union employee.All sorts of political manouveres took place at various levels to ensure the maxium vote for Hayes.Despite all of this Des Derwin still delivered a substanial vote that no doubt even surprised the leadership.

by John Fri Feb 27, 2004 14:39

This is indeed a massive boost for all the left in SIPTU. Now we need to consilidate this vote into a coherent rank and file movement and challenge the Partnership lie.
Congratulations to Des for his commitment and resoluteness, his willingness to continue when lesser beings would have called it a day.

by R Isible Thu Feb 26, 2004 22:38

A well deserved result and as Chekov pointed out before this final count came out, 23% is a very heartening increase and is a testimony to your hard work.

by Des Derwin Thu Feb 26, 2004 22:32 dderwin at gofree dot indigo dot ie

Your pseudonym is spot on, lefty. I had my annus horribilis in 2003 and I'm ENJOYING this!

Thanks to everyone for their kind words

by lefty Thu Feb 26, 2004 15:23

I think that it is great that there was a left alternative to the bureaucrat Brendan Hayes. However I do think that the result is not a reflection of the divide between left and right in the Union. I think that there was very little time for the left to prepare for this election, this resulted in there not being much of an activist network around the country. I think that 'over the moon' would be the wrong thing to say. Rather Des should be happy he put in a good fight with the limited resources he had and say that there can be much more built in the future.

I'm also unsure about congratulating Hayes on his victory. People like Hayes should not be tolerated or congratulated.

by Jonno Thu Feb 26, 2004 12:15

A very good result indeed. Well done.

by TFC Thu Feb 26, 2004 08:47

A good result Des. Keep up the fight.

by Des Derwin Thu Feb 26, 2004 03:02 dderwin at gofree dot indigo dot ie

The count of the vote for SIPTU Vice President was completed yesterday.
Here are the results:

Total Poll: 79,759
Total Valid Poll: 78,849
Spoiled Votes: 910
Derwin: 17,791 (22.57%)
Hayes: 61,058 (77.51)%

The poll is approximately 40% of those eligible to vote. The Financial Membership of SIPTU is at just around 200,000. That is those ‘in benefit’, who are up-to-date with their Union dues. There are another estimated 30,000 members, lapsed or out of benefit.

22.57%!! This is a substantial minority. Especially in the circumstances. I’m deeelihrah! A big, big thanks to all who supported me.

Further reports, commentary and analysis in the next few days.

Congratulations to the winner, Brendan Hayes. From the Opposition benches.

--------------

The results of the SIPTU General Secretary Election (October 2002) were.

Total valid poll 111,883
Spoiled votes 1,008
Joe O'Flynn 55,327 (49.5%)
Noel Dowling 48,036 (42.9%)
Des Derwin 7,512 (6.7%)

by Paul Kinsella - CPSU Wed Feb 25, 2004 20:51 paulkinsella53 at yahoo dot com 53 Lorcan Grove, Santry, Dublin 9, Eire 085-1478100

From the horses' mouth as you might say. Just got this text from Des. Well done Des! "SIPTU VP Election results: Total Valid Poll 78849. Spoiled votes 901. Hayes 61058. Derwin 17791 (22.57%!). Over the moon!! Thank you very much for your support!
Des Derwin"

by Chekov Wed Feb 25, 2004 18:47

77 + 13 = 90 The SIPTU news report only mentions the vote for Hayes, so either Derwin's vote is actually 23% or 10% of the votes were spoiled? It makes a big difference since 23% is a good result and a good base (up from 9% last time) while 13% would be disappointing.

by Anonymous Wed Feb 25, 2004 18:45

Unlucky Des, not this time. Great effort and keep up the fight.

by TailWaggingDog Wed Feb 25, 2004 18:42

Brendan Hayes 77%, Des Derwin 13%.

by Wondering Tue Feb 24, 2004 21:57

Who are the independent right and left? Why are they not members of the respective right or left bodies?

by Time For Change Tue Feb 24, 2004 20:52

Good luck Des.

NIPSA results as follows

Reclaim The Union (right wing) 14

Time For change (left) 9

independent right 1

independent left 1

The right have held control of NIPSA for another year but we are gaining.
200 more votes for TFC would have given us an over all majority but we suffered splits to the right which came very late in the day and caused confusion.

by NIPSA head Tue Feb 24, 2004 19:58

Early reports from the NIPSA elections suggest that the left "Time For Change" slate increased its representation from seven to nine on the unions General Council.

That's short of a majority, but I'm told that it is more than the organised right.

I will post a full report when I get one.

by Anonymous Tue Feb 24, 2004 12:49

Any idea how it is expected to go??