Two top posts go to local activists

Two recent elections for union deputy and assistant general secretaries have seen local activists beat national officers.

In the 240,000-strong National Union of Teachers, school teacher Christine Blower, a former president of the union, beat off a full-time official to become the union's deputy general secretary.

She received 27,569 votes compared to 22,753 for John Bangs, the union's head of education and equal opportunities, in a 19.7% turnout. Blower, secretary of the NUT's Hammersmith and Fulham assocation, will take over the post vacated by Steve Sinnott, who was elected general secretary last summer.

Blower says she wants to work in tandem with Sinnott, saying: "We are both interested in making sure that the union works together as a harmonious team."

In the 52,000-member Fire Brigades Union, a three-way contest for assistant general secretary produced a victory for London region secretary Matt Wrack.

Wrack won the election after receiving 6,260 votes compared to his nearest challenger, national officer John McGhee, who received 5,527. The third candidate, Dean Mills, polled 1,981 in a 27% turnout.

Wrack, who will replace Mike Fordham who is retiring this year, was one of a number of activists who criticised the tactics of the FBU leadership during last year's pay negotiations.

He is now also expected to challenge incumbent Andy Gilchrist in the forthcoming general secretary election, which will be held in April.