Ucatt to pick new leaders

The construction union Ucatt is set to hold a series of hotly contested elections to pick a new generation of regional leaders by the end of this year.

The elections spring from the introduction of a revised rule book and a regional restructuring as well as a number of retirements.

The key post will be the secretary of a new, combined London, Eastern, and Southern region. Candidates are expected to include Dominic Hehir and Dave Hardy, currently secretaries of the old London and Eastern regions. Other contenders may include Brian Rye and Lou Lewis.

John Flavin, a member of the union's executive council, said this week that he is also under pressure to stand for the regional job. If the union votes this autumn for a merger with the TGWU, then the full time executive will be replaced by a lay body. Executive members are guaranteed jobs as national officers. But Flavin said: 'The South East regional secretary will be one of the most important in the union.'

The Yorkshire and Northern regions are also being combined.

Nominations for the jobs are being invited in September for December elections.