UCATT general secretary, Alan Ritchie, has been ordered by the Certification Officer for Trade Unions to step down as leader of construction’s biggest union after his election in 2009 was declared void. UCATT has been ordered to conduct a re-run of that leadership race following a long campaign by his defeated rival, Mick Dooley. The election was declared void after it was found UCATT sent ballot papers to only 56,867 members – less than half of its claimed 130,000 membership. The turnout was still lower, with Ritchie defeating Dooley by 6,706 votes to 4,431. Continue reading →