Executive told it had better endorse Eslamdoust in general secretary election as senior unelected figure ‘says candidate with no experience can learn on the job’
A leaked letter sent by a then-member of the TSSA rail union’s elected executive – almost a year ago and still unanswered – to his colleagues on the ‘EC’ has raised serious questions about the way in which the executive endorsed the current general secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, who appears to have had no relevant union experience when she was shortlisted alongside two candidates steeped in the union’s activities and history.
Eslamdoust, who is currently embroiled in a dispute with the union’s staff over what they say is bullying, intimidation and anti-union behaviour, was ultimately endorsed by the exec, which pushed members hard to vote for her in an election with only a 13% turnout of its membership of around 17,500.
Martin Hartley, who at the time was the EC representative for Scotland and later resigned because he found it impossible to work with Eslamdoust and her team, wrote to colleagues during the process to decide which candidate the exec would recommend to members:
Subject: GS Election Investigation Evidence Confidential
Good afternoon,
I think it is important for me to advise you the following, as you are the working group involved in reviewing the GS selection process. I explain my role below as I was part of the interview selection panel for the General Secretary.
The interviews to select a candidate for the Executive Commitee to recommend to the membership were conducted on Tuesday 11th July in Walkden House at Devonshire Square. Prior to that I had sight of the CV’s, there were around 11 to sift through, and TSSA’s HR provided us a scoring sheet as to select the best candidates. I did this independently on my own, with experience I hold as Shift Station Manager in my own employer.
[TSSA President] Melissa Heywood, Mary Sithole, Peter Pendle and myself were part of the interview panel. A silent GMB representative witnessed the interviews and played no part or provided any input at any part of the interviews.
We interviewed six candidates including Maryam. All the questions were the same for each candidate and a fair approach was taken for each candidate, which included timings for presentation and questions. Each candidate was also given the opportunity to ask any question regarding the TSSA. The interviews in my eyes were conducted fairly in line what I would expect when I have done interviewing in my own company.
Once the interviews were completed, we deliberated on the candidate’s performance. We had three top candidates to choose from which we needed to discuss. While we progressed to discuss their performance and what each of the three final candidates could provide to the TSSA, I felt personally, Mary had already made her mind up for Maryam, I didn’t feel she wanted to engage in the discussion regarding the other candidates. Importantly I must declare that it was said to me by Melissa: “If we don’t pick Maryam, it’s going to take some explaining to [Cortes confidant] Andi Fox”.
I felt that this statement meant that there had been outside influence by a third party into the process to two other interviewers, which may have directed them to making a decision in favour of Maryam. Although I agreed Maryam performed well, I felt another candidate was more suited to the role.
I trust your confidence in this matter until it needs to form part of your final report to the EC. I feel it is important for you to know this as part of your investigation.
In confidence,
Martin Hartley
TSSA Scotland Executive Committee Member
Other executive sources told Skwawkbox that when one exec member asked Andi Fox, who is seen as close to disgraced former general secretary Manuel Cortes, about Eslamdoust’s lack of experience, they were told:
She can learn on the job.
Since her election, Maryam Eslamdoust has been mired in controversies and anger among the union’s staff and membership. Staff have voted unanimously in support of a no-confidence motion against her and one of the union’s biggest branches has done the same. Senior union figures who have spoken critically of her actions have been summarily suspended just after receiving major union awards or being elected to senior positions and at least one staff member has allegedly been victimised. Staff are currently engaged in an escalating strike campaign that is currently paused only because Eslamdoust made it a condition of ACAS talks.
Union staff are also taking action against what they say is a continuation, under Eslamdoust, of the bullying, abuse and intimidation that was exposed under former general secretary Manuel Cortes – and accused Eslamdoust of crossing their picket line on the first day of strike action. The new general secretary has even written to TSSA members attacking union staff, wrote a column in a newspaper accusing the union that represents TSSA staff at work of trying to take over TSSA and has tried to bypass striking staff and negotiate an end to the dispute directly with the GMB union’s management.
The union’s conference descended into chaos earlier this month after more than half of delegates – seemingly those critical of Eslamdoust – were prevented from entering and a conference no-confidence motion was blocked from debate and a vote.
The TSSA was contacted for comment. A TSSA Spokesperson said:
“The process of finding the TSSA Executive Committee’s candidate for the General Secretary election was wholly fair and transparent, overseen and endorsed by an independent observer from the GMB union. Maryam Eslamdoust won an overwhelming majority of TSSA members in the subsequent General Secretary election – a clear democratic mandate.”
The union did not deny the authenticity of the letter or explain why it had never been answered.
Andi Fox was also asked for comment. She had not replied by the time of writing.
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