The SWP are backing pro-nuclear Labour member Laurence Faircloth:
 http://www.socialistworker.org.uk/art.php?id=16370

Former SWP member and victimised organiser of an anti war workplace occupation Jerry Hicks is also standing:
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/westcountry/2005/08/322166.html
 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/westcountry/2005/07/318968.html

Current incumbent Derek Simpson is also standing. He says:

ELECTION OF AMICUS GENERAL SECRETARY - DEREK SIMPSON
I am writing to you to seek your branches support and nomination for my candidacy in the forthcoming joint general secretary election, for the term of office December 2009 until December 2010. It is with some sadness and regret that I have to do this. Unite members have already voted on two occasions for me to hold this office for this period. However, because of a threatened legal challenge by an individual member using Tory anti trade union law, the executive of the union has felt it necessary to call an election to ratify the arrangements for a third time.
I respectfully ask for your support so that we can continue the work we have all done together to make Amicus and now Unite the foremost campaigning union in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. I make no apologies for claiming that what we have created is the most successful and most ambitious trade union in the world. Amicus has led on every campaign for social justice over the past five years. We led the fight for decent pension protection, we alone fight on for fair pay public sector workers, we campaigned first and hardest for dignity at work, we were first to call for a windfall tax on public utilities to help hard-working families pay their bills, and now we lead the way in the campaign for a new order in our economy that favours working people.
Our merger plans are based on three important areas of work. We are building a stronger union through organising and through mergers. We are working to increase our political influence to fight for policies to help our members and their families achieve a better standard of living. We are at the same time developing an international union to stand up to multinationals. This strategy for growth must not be allowed to be compromised.
I do not say these things for any personal gain. I love the job I am privileged to do on your behalf but I will be happy to stand aside at the end of my term of office. My only hope is that I can pass my duties on to someone committed to continue the struggle as begun in Amicus and continuing in Unite. It is vital in my view that we continue with the union being governed by lay members through our industrial structure. It is this structure that has helped us bring so many diverse groups of working people together.
When I was elected as General Secretary of the AEEU in 2002 I promised to increase lay democracy in our union. I pledged support for all groups of members in their fight for a better deal at work. I said that I would work so no group of members would be ignored and no individual member's voice would go unheard. Inclusiveness has been the theme of my tenure in the position. This approach has seen us successfully build Amicus from four unions, Unite from five and now Workers Uniting from six with great potential for many more.
It is my earnest hope that you and the members of your branch agree with and support my vision of a strong multinational union led from the bottom up by lay members and that you will give me your nomination so I might continue as Joint General Secretary of the Amicus section of Unite as was determined by membership ballots, overwhelmingly carried.
I am a member of the Sheffield 1 branch (0823) my membership number is 31795526
Yours fraternally
Derek Simpson

If amicus has such an influence over the Government, why after 11 years do we have wars a plenty, PFI's coming out of ears and the most restrictive trade union laws in western europe?

The mainstream unions are just means for wannabe Labour MPs to climb the ladder and for their trot opponents an opportunity to recruit members.

"The mainstream unions are just means for wannabe Labour MPs to climb the ladder and for their Trot opponents an opportunity to recruit members."
True and they also act as a damper on working class resistance. Jerry Hicks experience of being involved in some very impressive class struggle action and not being supported by Simpson (while he was supported by John MacDonald MP and Bob Crow) are a good example. It think it's good that the hustings has been organised.

"The mainstream unions are just means for wannabe Labour MPs to climb the ladder and for their Trot opponents an opportunity to recruit members."
True and they also act as a damper on working class resistance. Jerry Hicks experience of being involved in some very impressive class struggle action and not being supported by Simpson (while he was supported by John MacDonald MP and Bob Crow) are a good example. It think it's good that the hustings has been organised.