local government jobs and services posed by
the poll tax must be fought. In this context the
Socialist Movement trade union committee
approached the Federation to propose a joint
conference for trade unionists against the poll
Clearly a conference organised with ti sources of both organisations, each
which has a substantial but not identical NAL have been a major step forward in network of support in the unions, would
developing a strategy for trade union ac-
tion against the tax. Initially there seemed CUTS to be a favourable response from key
people in the Federation leadership to
such a suggestion. Within a couple of
weeks, 50 organisations and individuals
such as Tony Benn and Alice Mahon
supported the call for such a conference.
All currents in the London federation, in-
cluding Militant supporters had par-
ticipated in a very successful local trade
union conference which was jointly or-
ganised with the Greater London As-
sociation of Trades Councils.
But in the end, the majority leadership
of the Federation decided to go it alone,
calling a conference in June, and refusing
to allow the Socialist Movement to par
ticipate in the organising committee. In
taking such a decision, Militant sup-
porters are throwing away a real oppor
tunity to build the anti-poll tax movement
in the unions. This sectarian attitude is
even more criminal given their pivotal
position in the movement.
It is clear that it will be very difficult
to build this initiative adequately in the
unions given the short time scale in
volved. The publicity so far issued for the event concentrates solely on the question of wage arrestment; thus ignoring other issues -in particular that of cuts - facing trade unionists in relation to the tax. And there is a fear that the conference will be more of a rally than a working event based on an exchange of information and discussion of the next steps forward. Because of the limitations of the June event, the Socialist Movement is going ahead with a trade union conference in Sep
tember. The conference the Federation is or ganising should of course be supported by activists in the anti-poll tax move ment and the unions. Any other attitude would give the labour bureaucracy another excuse to attack mass non-payment and weaken the movement. At the same time, there is a need for the Socialist Movement initiative and this should be vigorously built.
Unity in action by the whole of the anti-poll tax movement, together with left activists in the trade unions is the only way to defeat the new realist bureaucracy and force industrial action against the tax - a crucial component in sinking Thatcher's flagship.
So far, Militant supporters have shirked many of their responsiblities in leading the movement. The fight against sectarianism, for democracy and for a correct understanding of the united front will be key in taking the struggle forward. Socialist Outlook appeals to all forces in the anti-poll tax movement to join us in the battle for these principles.
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