Guidance sought after attempt to exclude trade union official councillor from Antrim and Newtownabbey redundancy discussions

At last week’s meeting, Alliance and Ulster Unionist councillors sought to have Councillor Ryan Wilson, a trade union official, excluded from discussions over redundancies of council workers.

The public and Press were excluded from these talks which took place behind closed doors last Monday evening.

Commenting on social media afterwards, Cllr Wilson said: “They can try to keep me out of the room but they will not keep me quiet when it comes to defending workers in our district.”

Alliance Alderman Tom Campbell, a Threemilewater representative, said he was concerned that Cllr Wilson, who was absent, had attended meetings at which “very sensitive commercial issues” were discussed, remaining in the room and listening to the debate, which he claimed, was a “potential conflict of interest”.

He proposed that counsel be sought “as to whether or not it amounts to a conflict of interest for someone who is an employee of an organisation to remain in a meeting when decisions are being made and that organisation is making representations to the council”.

The SDLP councillor is an official for the trade union Nipsa.

Ald Campbell said he was “very uncomfortable” that a full-time salary paid trade union member was present when “sensitive, commercial discussions” regarding staff and potential redundancies were being discussed.

He added that he would like to seek guidance through the chief executive  about whether or not “a full-time, fully-paid trade union member or someone with those ties” should be allowed to remain in the room.

“I have nothing personal against him. He seems a very courteous individual. My perception is that it is a conflict of interest.”

The council is currently consulting with a trade union regarding the potential redundancy of 68 workers (read more here).

Glengormley Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Goodman stated: “All kinds of people who are members of all kinds of organisations may sit on this council and who do or don’t  inform us of conflicts of interest. We need guidance. The guidance we should be asking for is wider.

“I do not think being a member of a trade union should be seen as whether it is dealing with council staff or issues around council staff should bar them from those discussions.”

He suggested that members ask for counsel’s advice on conflicts of interest and this should be general advice not specifically on Cllr Wilson or on trade unions.

Seconding Ald Campbell’s proposal, Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster stated that he did not think the question was about being in a trade union but being an employee.

Cllr Goodman insisted that members need “broader guidance”.

He added: “I think to single out trade unions is a slippery slope.”

Party colleague Councillor Anne Marie Logue commented: “I would be a bit concerned about singling a person out and there has been a mention of a person being  a paid member of a trade union.”

Ulster Unionist Alderman Mark Cosgrove remarked: “It is nothing to do with being a member of a trade union. It is being an employee of an organisation that’s involved from one side of something that the employer which the councillor is representing when he is a councillor. That is the reason for Ald Campbell’s proposal, nothing to do with the fact that he is a member of a trade union.”

Alliance Councillor Billy Webb pointed out that in previous meetings, Cllr Wilson has “clearly stated” that he was a member of this particular union.

“It is not the fact that he is a union member but an employee of a union that is part of negotiations with this council. The perception is that there is a conflict.”

He also pointed out that Cllr Wilson was not in attendance at last week’s meeting but that if he joined later in the evening, he should declare an interest and withdraw from the meeting. Cllr Goodman went on to say that he would not be part of any perceived attempt to exclude people who are associated with trade unions from the local authority.

Fourteen councillors voted in favour of the motion proposed by Ald Campbell which was then carried.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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