UCATT  election candidate expelled for life from union.

08 March Michael Dooley a favourite for the leadership of UCATT the troubled building workers union has been expelled from the union following a complaint that he swore at a building workers meeting which was later broadcasted on YouTube. 

A complaint was made by a senior UCATT member Terry Renshaw of the Shrewsbury Pickets Campaign who saw the video and was upset that Dooley attack on the union might be seen by a judge and ruin Renshaws fight for justice as a Shrewsbury Picket. Mick was actually speaking on the platform in Cannon Street on one of the electricians' protests. The Sparks will be outraged that someone like Mick who has played such an outstanding role in their campaign has been attacked in this way by the union leadership.

Renshaw from the North West region of UCATT was arrested in 1972 in what has became known as the Shrewsbury Pickets case in which Des Warren and actor Rick Tomlinson was sent to prison.

Renshaw is a leading campaigner, and former Mayor of Flintshire, who is campaigning to clear his name for unlawful arrest.

Dooley expulsion is the first in UCATTs 40 year history and comes following his dismissal from the union he was employed by for 12 years as a full time official, an employment tribunal found his dismissal to be unfair. UCATT have refused to re employ him.

Dooley was told of his expulsion on Saturday the 3 of March 2012 , that following a meeting to hear the charge against him on the 15 March 2012 he was expelled from the union.

UCATTs troubles began when Dooley challenged the legality of the results of the General Secretary election held I n2009 in which he was a candidate. The incumbent General Secretary Alan Ritchie was removed from office when the election was found to be illegal in March 2011.

A new election was called in which Dooley was seen as the favourite, however he was banned from being a candidate because the union dismissed him for dishonesty. His dismissal was found to be unfair. Ritchie was also banned from standing and later resigned from the union following an investigation into his expenses and union credit card claims. Supporters of Ritchie including Mr. Renshaw then switched their support to the new General Secretary Steve Murphy.  Mr Murphy was present when the union expelled Dooley.

Dooley is claiming that banning him and Ritchie was illegal and is seeking to over turn this new election, he feels that the decision to ban him was to ensure that he would not run in any further election and would not be able to question the union leadership on their administration and finances.

Dooley is claiming that the union membership may be fictitious and is costing the union members large amounts of money and that the union’s true membership would not need so many senior officials to administer.  Dooley also wants to investigate the executive member’s expenses and contribution income and is concerned as to why the Executive members did not ensure the members funds were being spend correctly.

Dooley said “ Steve Murphy said he wanted a fresh start and one of his first tasks was to expel his rival, this was of course after his old friend Alan Ritchie walked away unscathed from being accused of trousering £150,000 of members money. I will of course appeal this latest decision and UCATT troubles will continue to drag on causing more embarrassment and wasted costs to union members”