L UCW censures leaders

Scan page 15

Jackson retires. Will the new UCW leaders fight the Tories? THIS year's UCW conference in the last week of May, was the first held since the separation of the Post Office and British Telecom.

For most of the week conference met as two separate sections, but they both faced the same threats from the government, privatisation, Tebbit's law and new technology.

In the Post Office conference proposals on new technology were discussed which had been submitted by the union to the Post Office.

1990?

In exchange for co-operation on new technology, the UCW had asked for increased annual leave, a shorter working week (going down by stages to 30 hours by 1990) and a lowering of the retirement age from 60 to 55 (again by 1990).

Many delegates doubted the Post Office's willingness to deliver the goods by 1990 ... if ever.

There was a highly charged debate on management's unilateral attempt to cut the "Retention after 60" agreement, taking away members rights to stay at work after 60 and draw their pension at the same time.

On this issue conference unanimously decided to take action - including industrial action.

. Another key issue was the massive differentials that LONDON Allinis exist between ordinary postal workers and all grades of management. A composite amendment on the issue,, moved by the Derry branch, called for the eradication of the division. It was carried overwhelmingly despite opposition from the platform.

Productivity

But it was the issue of productivity deals that produced the sharpest debates. In the Postal Officers' conference national productivity deal was debated and was carried by only two votes (1189 to 1187). Many delegates argued how immoral such dealings were when there are 3 million out of work.

The same issue was the highlight of the Telecoms conference. A motion of no confidence in the Telecoms Group Management Committee (IGMC, the telecoms section's executive), for agreeing a productivity deal in November 1981, was overwhelmingly carried.

The entire TGMC, which had only just been re-elected then resigned on the spot. They were only persuaded to return after Tom Jackson, at his last conference, persuaded the Telecoms conference to take another vote, this time a vote of confidence in the TGMC.

In the general conference of both sections, the UCW executive plans to amalgamate with other unions in the Post Office and British Telecoms, including supervisory grades, were rejected, as delegates objected to linking up with managers.

June An emergency resolution to support the NHS workers was submitted by Coventry Tels branch and called for a one-day strike by UCW members on June 8. It wasn't taken.

But UCW members are starting to show they will stand up and be counted against Tory attacks. And many delegates made it clear they expected the union's leadership to stand up too.

by Jim Denham *482