The defeat of Sir Ken Jackson for the post of general secretary of Amicus-AEEU by ex-communist Derek Simpson was ratified by the union executive on 13 August
Simpson's triumph was contested and four recounts were ordered. Simpson won each time and Jackson, 65, eventually conceded the result.

The appointment spells change for Amicus-AEEU, with Simpson expressing his fear that "the Labour party is at times in danger of being out of touch with ordinary people."

However, Simpson, 57, has rejected media descriptions of him as a 1970s-style dinosaur, saying that he is "firmly committed to the changes to union legislation that forced leaders to ballot members on industrial action."

Simpson will take over from Jackson at the start of 2003. Contractors told EMC that they expected a tougher approach to workers' rights to come.

  • Amicus has claimed that as many as 500 000 agency staff are being denied due employment benefits and called for legislation to clearly define agency workers' rights.

    • Source

    Electrical and Mechanical Contractor