Union confirms it has no general secretary at present

Construction’s largest union has confirmed its general secretary Alan Ritchie has been stripped of office, after watchdogs declared his election void on Monday.

UCATT president Joe Thompson said he was “disappointed” with the Certification Office’s decision to order a re-run of the election.

The union will now consider appealing the decision, Thompson said.

Alan Ritchie was appointed general secretary two years ago after beating regional officer Mick Dooley by 6,706 votes to 4,431.

But the Certification Office for Trade Unions declared the contest void on Monday, after it found less than half of its claimed membership had been sent ballot papers.

Building understands Ritchie’s defeated rival Dooley – who lodged the claim against the election – is considering standing in the election if it is re-run.

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