Crunch issues for TGWU

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Whose voice will be heard in the TGWU's vote for Labour Party leader - PROBABLY the most contentious issue at this year's TGWU conference (BDC) will be who the union will back for the Labour Party leader.

According to media reports the General Executive Commit: ee will propose recommendin‹ Neil Kinnock. Presumably delegates like myself w.1o will be supporting Eric Heffer, OI account of his opposition tr witch-hunts and support for the continuation of progressive policies, will find it "ifficult tr get that option in f it of the conference.

The right wing will be campaigning for a ballot, whicl would be fine if the union': record on that kind i. exercis‹ was better and the opinion could be adequately presenter to the memberrh Unde present circumstar e the BD( is undoubtedly the most repres entative body of the union, an‹ should take the decision.

In 1981 the platform opposer allowing the conference decide between Dennis Heale and Tony Benn. The resultin chaos discredited the union. vote with only one option, how ever, will be little better.

My branch, the 5/293, has: resolution calling for a polic decision that the BDC shoul always decide the TGWU's voti in such elections - by means o a recall conference if an electio arises in a year when there is ni conference.

The BDC will also be import ant on the witch-hunt, particul arly given the probable outcom of the leadership election There are seven resolution against the Register, but it wil need a big fight if they are to b successful.

The reelection of the Torie makes incomes policy in th event of a Labour government and the National Economi Assessment, less of an immed iate issue. There are, however four resolutions calling for a incomes policy and twelve cal ing for free collective bargair.

There are three resolutions on South Africa - two at the level of protest action, calling for mandatorv economic sanctions and the ending of dealings with Barclays Bank, while the other calis for solidarity with the victimised workers at Wilson Rowntrees and the sending of a TGWU factfinding delegation.

In the six resolutions on Ireland, there is no call for troops out. The resolutions call for the right of self-determination for the Irish people and for the repeal of the PTA and the Emergency Powers Act, and the ending of Diplock Courts.

Past practice of TGWU conferences on Ireland, however, make it very unlikely that these issues will be debated in conterence.

No doubt the usual, meaningless GEC statement will be brought out to stop all discussion.

One section of the agenda which is a big step forward, is on women's rights. There was not a single resolution at the last conterence on women's rights and this item was eventually taken completely off the agenda.

This year, there are nine resolutions which offer between them the possibility of a very good composite.

The same is true of gay rights. It is very important that the three JOHN HARRIS very comprehensive resolutions on this subject are debated at conference.

The 24 anti-Tebbit resolutions reflect the paralysis of the TUC in the face of legislation. Most simply condemn Tebbit and the Tories. The GEC's resolution does call for non-payment of fines, but that is all. It calls on "British trade unionists to carry out their business in the spirit of business as usual" and goes on to make the call they have relied upon for too long, for the repeal of the legislation by the next Labour government.

Some resolutions do give a lead and it is very important that they are supported. The 1/1921 branch calls for industrial action. My own branch calls for industrial action the moment anyone is victimised under the Act and goes on to call for an end to tripartite bodies.

No lead at all is given on privatisation. The public services national committee resolution "resolves to continue the general campaign against privatisation and to support our members directly affected in resisting privatisation plans and win the support of the general public. •to retain direct iabour."

Nothing is said about how members will be supported and nothing is said about tendering, which is condemned in a resolution from the 1/1418 branch.

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