NEC Labs by-election

A NEC by-election is being held to elect a representative from BECTU's Laboratories Division.

Since 2004 the seat has been held on a "job share" basis by John Searle and John Wild, the first such job sharing arrangement made possible by a rule change in 2003.

Because John Searle has now left the industry, the rules require John Wild to step down as well, so that a by-election is needed to fill the vacancy.

Labs branches have until 2 December 2005 to submit nominations.

If a ballot is needed, ballot papers will be posted to Labs members by the independent scrutineer, Electoral Reform Services, for return to them by 20 January 2006.

This by-election is made unusually significant by the critical state of the UK laboratories sector. Membership has fallen drastically in recent years as a result of redundancies due in the main to transfer of work to cheaper overseas labour markets.

BECTU General Secretary Roger Bolton has written to John Searle thanking him for his service to the NEC and to the union during this difficult time.