LABOUR WORKPLACE BRANCHES Going to the grass roots

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THERE IS one standard reply criticisms the 'Alternative Economic Strategy' in Tory policy.

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Council. AT a national gathering of Labour Party workplace branches in London last Saturday, 28th, representatives of about 20 branches met to exchange ideas and experiences and to discuss the problems they have encountered so far while working to root the Labour Party in the workplace.

Over the last two years workplace branches have been set up in Timex in Dundee, Cammel Lairds in Liverpool, the Post Office in Coventry, GKN, Dista and in many fire stations, council offices, town halls, etc. There are now over 60 workplace branches.

The big Tory victory in last June's election, the continuing Tory attack on the rights of trade unions to exist and the attempt to break the links between the unions and the Labour Party - these add great urgency to the work of building Labour Party workplace branches.

The leaders of many unions, of the TUC and of the Labour Party have shown themselves to the rank and file to be inadequate in fighting the vicious attacks on the working class. The Labour Party leadership has time and again ignored the policies passed at conference and turned their backs on delegate decisions, for example, on unilateral disarmament and abortion. The TUC leaders continue to talk to the Tories who are out to smash us. They even ratted on the NGA's fight against the anti-union laws.

Many rank and file members of the unions see these inadequacies, betrayals and manoeuvres repeated time after time. They feel powerless and become cynical about

politics altogether.

Workplace branches can help the rank and file organise to fight back and thus help overcome cynicism, disillusionment and defeatism.

A major problem with workplace branches so far has been their isolation one from another and the difficulties they've had in getting help or recognition from the Labour Party. The London meeting was called to help us coordinate nationally and to put pressure on the Labour Party to take us seriously.

Much concern was expressed at the lack of help — and sometimes hindrance — from Labour Party regions in getting their branches off the ground.

But despite this, most of them are healthy branches of the Labour Party which have increased Party™ membership and spread political debate amongst fellow workers. It is proof that if we had a democratic party with a genuine interest in involving the rank and file, thousands of workplace branches could grow and flourish.

The main problems discussed at the conference were Gang the lack of agreed uniform procedures and practices for setting up Labour Party workplace branches.

Different regional officers give different interpretation of the rules. One comrade from London said that you could phone up region or the national office with a question six times a day and get six different answers!

Regions were very slow in processing new members applications. The experience of one branch was that on setting up the branch they had recruited nine new members to the Labour Party, given the applications to the region last September, and were still waiting to hear from them!

A workplace branch in Lucas Aerospace invited their regional office to the first meeting three times but received no answer, and nobody turned up from the region.

Many people felt that the Labour Party leadership were suspicious of the workplace branches and worried by them because they weakened their control of the Party and would put pressure on the unions to become more democratic in forming the policies and voting in the Labour Party.

A resolution was sent to the NEC stating that the provisions for setting up workplace branches were totally inadequate and it was suggested that:

*They should have a panel of speakers who would go round the regions explaining how and why to set up branches.

*That a national register of workplace branches should be available through the regions enabling us to coordinate activity and keep in touch.

*that there should be annual consultation meetings of workplace branches.

*That there should be general literature and informashould be given the support and resources needed to set up branches.

It was also felt by the conference that branches should have more rights to delegateships to GMCs than the rules laid down.

An ad hoc steering committee was set up (to be reelected at reconvened meeting in March) which will build up a national register of workplace branches.

We also agreed to design a starter's information pack to help new branches. Regional committees are to be set up which would organise speakers, literature and joint meetings in the regions. Also a national workplace branch newsletter will be produced.

Despite the problems of getting workplace branches recognised as a part of the Labour Party there is a spreading enthusiasm amongst workers to get them set up. Everyone at the conference confirmed that it is very easy to do once you have a handful of people who are interested, and with interesting debate on political issues, films • and speakers they are certain to grow.

The need to democratise our labour movement is vital and to do this we must draw people away from the feeling of powerlessness and cynicism they may have from being under attack.

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Jean Lane reports on national Labour Par workplace branches

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