Mr Ritchie has now been stripped of office and the union is operating without a general secretary. Ucatt president John Thompson said an appeal was being considered.
The Trade Union Certification Officer has ordered Ucatt to re-run the election because it failed to send ballot papers to members who were in arrears with their dues by more than 26 weeks.
The union points out that the Certification Officer made no suggestion of dishonesty or corruption in his ruling, but simply decided that Ucatt’s interpretation of its own rules was incorrect.
Mr Thompson said: “Following the decision of the Certification Officer, the union is taking into account its implications and is considering an appeal against the decision. The Union are disappointed with the Certification Officer’s decision as they have always taken the view that unless a member keeps up to date with contributions, he/she should not be permitted to vote in the Union’s elections. Ucatt will continue its day to day function of representing construction workers.”
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