COHSE: union officials get private treatment

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Women s Fightback Trade union conference OVER recent years traditionally passive white collar unions in the public sector have become inleaders. level.

Street, London N7. y Corbist ley rep ocracy al id wom workers' urts on the fight for en's rights in the town are women yet the NEC is 80% men. In comparison ON PAPER, the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) is a democratically run union, with members making policy decisions. In reality, however, COHSE is run by a right wing male bureaucracy which is made up mostly of male nurses.

The full time officials are not elected and are not accountable to the membership.

In 1981 there were major wranglings. within Head Office, resignations, and splits on policy decisions. Albert Spanswick, the general secretary, has ignored wishes of members and came under attack at the 1981 annual conference.

With the constant strain of cuts, closures and appalling low pay settlements, COHSE members are becoming more militant. But, while the members move forward, the leader ship consistently retreats. 'The National Executive Committee which is elected by Regional Councils has traditionally been right wing. There is only one woman on the NEC. This year one of the few left wingers resigned in disgust at COHSE policies, particularly the "perk" whereby COHSE full time officials have the option of private medical examinations.

The lethargy of COHSE nationally can be seen particularly around pay struggles. This year, when there should be a major fight for a decent wage settlement, COHSE has not produced any posters, badges or even given branches any encourageSpanswick ment to campaign for action on pay.

In order to fill the vacuum within COHSE, a broad left group has recently been formed.

GROUP 81 was started at conference 1981-which proved too much even for conservative delegates.

Following a year of constant rundown of services, and attacks on militants in the Health Service. COHSE was under pressure from several resolutions put forward by branches.

Farce However, what promised to be a stimulating conference turned into a farce. The platform and Standing Orders Committee arranged for debate to be stopped in every session just before controversial resolutions were to be taken.

Platform speakers spoke on 'reports' or resolutions sometimes for 2o minutes which they wanted defeated and then accused delegates of wasting conference's time on points of order. When delegates asked for extension of sessions in order to discuss crucial resolutions they were told it was impossible as it would conflict with planned socials.

As a result, delegates from all over the country met and formed GROUP 81. One of the major aims of the group is to restore democracy in COHSE.

We are also campaigning for a minimum wage of £100 linked to a 35 hour week, unilateral disarmament and several other specific demands. We have already produced a newsletter and organised fringe meetings for conference 82. 1982 will be an important year with attempts change the rules and make the full time officials accountable to the membership. This can only be done if they are elected and subject to re-election.

If we can accomplish this then the first step towards building COHSE as a recognisable force within the NHS will have been taken.

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2= 41F5%I S fILANYUN (hünli , ihdbit Socialist Organiser, Thursday 18 February, 1982 Page 14