news release * news release * news release
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About 40 members of the Manufacturing,
Science and Finance Union (MSF) lobbied a meeting of the union's National
Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday 2nd September at the MSF Head Office, Moreland St., London E.C.1. The lobbyists
demanded the resignation of the MSF General Secretary Roger Lyons. They argued
that recent revelations about Lyons' credit card expenditure and expenses
claims have brought MSF into disrepute. Lyons, who earns about £100 000 per
annum, claims another £20 000 per annum from the union for meals, travel, gifts
and equipment for his personal use.
The lobbyists protested at the secrecy and
bullying used to cover up Lyons' misconduct. They pointed out that information
about his expenditure only became public as a result of Employment Tribunal
cases brought by former employees of the union. Until this happened, the NEC
had done everything it could to prevent members finding out what was going on.
As Lyons approached the Head Office building,
wearing a large pair of designer sunglasses, he visibly panicked at the sight
of the lobby. He darted down an alley beside the building and was then observed
hammering desperately on a side entrance. When this refused to yield, he
scuttled round to the back of the building and was lost to sight.
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A spokesperson for the
London Region Defence Campaign commented, "We want to know if the union
paid for his designer shades. At any rate, he will have to wear them wherever
he goes from now on."
The MSF NEC has been forced
into reopening an investigation into Lyons' misconduct. This will focus on the
established details of his expenditure plus a so far unproven allegation of
large-scale fraud involving union funds. This investigation will be carried out
by MSF accountants HW Fisher & Co under the supervision of the
Certification Officer, the government official who oversees the affairs of
trade unions. The investigation should be completed by the end of 2000.
- ENDS -
Notes for editors:
1)
The London Region Defence Campaign (LRDC) has been set up by MSF members to
resist attacks on our democratic rights by the MSF hierarchy. More information
about our activities can be found on our website www.lrdc.org.uk.
2)
Photographs of the lobby can be
obtained by contacting Hugh MacGrillen on hughmacgrillen@netscapeonline or 020
7226 5436/020 7794 5999.