A workers' answer

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OrganisedPuiisi, he So ist Organiser Alliance, 28 Middle Lane, London Te Pried: Fast End Offset [TUJ. Registered as a newspaper at the fi: signed articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the SOA. Industrial Relations Act, was asked for his evidence after making similar charges to the Donovan Commission, he was unable to prodüce any detailed evidence and retreated, commenting that he had just been "speaking in general terms"

One suspects Tebbit's response would be a similar one. However, he does make great play of suggesting that the statistics show that something is wrong.

In some areas of the NUM only 36% of members pay the levy, in others the figure is 100%. The reason, however, why only 37% in Durham pay is that the Durham membership includes a large number of permarently sick, retired members, unemployed members and widows. Of the 15,000 eligible to pay the political levy, 99% pay it.

There is no doubt however that if Tebbit's central proposals that contracting in should replace contracting out, HILLI Sociars: Organiser is not lust à D3Der.

ú= "*: := Stanise morkers in the the *-90= '= a tew leadership in the about movement.

If you agree with what we have to say, you can help. Become a supporter of the Socialist Organiser Alliance -groups are established in most large towns.

To 'Get Organised' in the fight, for more information, write at once us at 28 Middle Lane, London N8.

Name Address That doesn't mean it will happen again but it certainly gives cause for thought.

For what Tebbit is attempting is the bankruptcy of the Labour Party. He argues that it is wrong in principle that a decision to contribute to a political fund should result from inertia or apathy, rather than from a deliberate and positive choice.

But a deliberate and positive choice to affiliate to the Labour Party and establish a political fund has been made and has been maintained by the members of the union acting as a collectivity. Any union member who objects is entitled to raise the matter at the Rules Revision Conference if s/he can get sufficient support. Once a collective decision has been made, surely it is completely congruent with democracy that those who disagree should at least have to opt out.

The TUC has agreed to boycott talks with Tebbit about the proposals in the Green Paper, correctly describing it as "offensive in principle and a serious interference in internal affairs" Green Paper to argue for our own ideas As Bill Keyes pointed out, 'there is no on democracy and the Labour Party, just point in going along hopefully to make a as the Chapptes and Duffys will use it to contribution to a debate when the other generalise their philosophy and person is not listening." methods.

But voices are already raised from the right, questioning this." mise the involvement of women, black "I think the TUC are daft not to talk to people, and the lowest paid workers, in mr Tebbit" says Gavin Laird, AUEW active union work, and to organise the General Secretary. 'We have given the unemployed, the following general poliConservative government a strong cies should be pursued: propaganda weapon on a plate. Mr Tebbit is sadly in need of education and and right of recall over, all full time talks with him might help him" union officials. This simple demand Help him! Gavin Laird can't help his should be argued out in, for example, all own members, yet he thinks he can help union Broad Lefts. Norman Tebbit like the blind beggar helping the millionaire. Gavin has learnt question of union democracy on the nothing and remembered nothing from agenda, arguments about the time not the experience of the previous Tory being ripe (as in NUPE - after last legislation. year's industrial action?!) or the fact that And if the Tories win the election, the executive which appoints is itself there will be many now marking time on elected (in the TGWU — given the tremthe General Council only too ready to endous power of the General Secretary join him, which is why talks with the and the weakening of shop floor organisTories have been kept going on bodies ation?!) are more clearly than ever such as the National Economic Develop- evasions. ment Council, with the TUC centre led by Murray supporting the right against by tying full-timers' salaries to the those like Bill Keyes who pointed out wages of those represented. that if we shouldn't talk to Tebbit about the law, what is the logic of talking to left can win even using this method. But him about the economy. we are interested in developing the In these circumstances, and given the deepest forms of democracy, those lack of leadership shown by the General which involve the workers nost. Council up till now, a response to the Green Paper has to come from below. It existing forms of decision-making about has to be tied to deepening opposition elections and strikes in each union, takagainst the 1982 Employment Act and ing into account each union's specific preparing for its use against trade union- situation and traditions, but measuring ists. them against our yardstick.

In many unions, for example, this will mean a move from the branch to the workplace. Often, geographical In this context we have to use the branches represented the unity of all workers in an area, regardless of job or employer. However, we have to formally take one step back if we are to rebuild that tradition.

The branch in many unions needs to Alongside specific provisions to maxi- be replaced by the workplace as the basic decision making unit just as the right of stewards' committees to affiliate to trades councils could reinvigorate those bodies. •Decisions should be made through • Election for short terms of office of, open discussion at workplace meetings.

All candidates in elections should have the right to full circulation of election material and the right to address such meetings.

Now that Tebbit has placed the whole Participation in union elections is a problem. If the postal ballot is not to be the answer, we have to find our own solutions. •We have to fight to increase the individual membership of the Labour Party to avoid correct criticism of a passive membership used by union leaders in the Labour Party. Two important ways of doing this are regular reports of union delegates to GMCs and more This demand should be supplemented workplace Labour Party branches.

•Those who hold back progress in the Labour Party are those who oppose a •Opposition to the postal ballot. The deepening and an extension of union democracy. As these two struggles become increasingly intertwined we have to hammer home the central necessity of rank and file democratic control •This means attempting to develop of the block vote.

•And once again we have to emphasise 'Break off all talks with the Tories!

Put all your energy into fighting them!" and "One in, all out" if the Tory laws are used against a single trade unionist.

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Organiser no.121 1983 Page

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