Fresh slate challenges NUPW top brass

Yet another team has thrown its hat into the ring for the National Union of Public Workers’ upcoming elections.

During a press conference at the NUPW’s Dalkeith headquarters this afternoon, Verrol Scott signalled his intention to challenge Akanni McDowall for the post of president when the union elects a new executive on
April 3.

The news follows a recent announcement by current first vice-president Fabian Jones of his plans to also run for president.

The rest of the executive contenders include Daria Cave, who will be running for first vice-president; David Denny who will contest the position of second vice-president; third vice-president hopeful Edsel Mayers; and Izola Waithe, who will stand for treasurer with Kenmore Dash as deputy treasurer.

Scott told the media that his team’s campaign slogan, Engine for Change, spoke to the need for new leadership.

From left, Edsel Mayers, David Denny, Daria Cave, Verrol Scott, Izola Waithe and Kenmore Dash during today’s press conference.

In an apparent reference to the ongoing public feud between ailing NUPW general secretary Roslyn Smith and McDowall, Scott said the tussle was bringing much pain to the union’s membership.

“The ebbs are so severe on our members that to my mind it is threatening the very existence of the union. This situation is very disturbing and this team felt like we had to do something about it.

“We decided that in order to cushion the severe impact of these austerity measures that are now facing our members, which is now and which we have good reason to believe will continue into the future, what we felt we needed to do was to create a safe space or a family space,” Scott told reporters.

Scott, who has served on the executive council for over 35 years, said that if elected, the new executive would change the union’s constitution.

Scott said this would be done to ensure union officers would not be allowed to abuse their power or the union’s financial resources.

He also campaigned to introduce a “medical and health care unit”, as well as a “professional development centre”, which would be used to increase the efficiency of its members who work in the public service.

Scott also revealed there were plans for a “human development centre” to help take care of aging members and a buying and selling club to encourage entrepreneurship.