1982- ance Conference UCW: a leap forward, som

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steps back THE RULES Revision Conf erence of the UCW made a giant leap forward on trade union democracy, but also some steps backwards.

The giant leap was to carry the amendment to Rule proposed by the East London Counter Branch that all general officers elected after the 1982 Rules Revision shall be elected for a term of office not exceeding five years.

They will also be eligible for re-election. Existing officers may voluntarily stand for re-election under these arrangements, and there will be a suitable amendment to the contract of employment.

General secretary • Alan Tuffin made a strong speech against the amendment, listing the very many unions that at present do not have re-election every five years. But he lost his argument by comparing the issue to reelection of governments, and saying that the union "should not behave like politicians"

He also quoted statements from Tebbit and other Tories in favour of elections of union officials. But it was the membership who were asking and demanding Ieelection to control the officers of the union - and not election by individual postal ballot, as the Tories propose: but by the membership who attend branch meetings.

Eric Lovett, replying, said that the comment about not playing politicians had come across almost like what we hear from those in power in right wing military juntas!

On the card vote, there were 9,073 for the amendment, and 7,362 against - a maiority of 1,711.

On the other side of the balance sheet were the amendments to discourage the emerging Broad Left within the union, by forbidding unofficial organisations to use the initials UCW or the name of the It was carried. Alan TuffUCW in vain; and, thou not discuss the job.

The card vote was extremely close, with 7,770 for and 7,508 against, with 2,348 abstentions. A lot of branch delegations were split.

The Broad Left must now push forward its policies. The witch-hunting tactics of the union bureaucracy must not get the upper hand and drive fear into the membership.

Support for If there was any doubt about whether the membership of the UCW wholeheartedly support the health workers in their present struggle, it was ended by the welcome given to two health workers from Coventry on Saturday.

They told us they would lose the dispute unless other trade unionists came out in support, and called on the UCW delegation to the TUC conference to help defend their members' health service.

On Sunday the Notting Hill branch put an emergency motion for the UCW executive to call industrial action in solidarity with the health workers, but this was ruled out of order. More UCW branches need to put pressure on the executive for action on this and on the attack on jobs in Telecoms.

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