by a TGWU activist At its first conference since the defeat of the dockers' strike, the TGWU leadership looks set to fudge the issue of opposition to anti-union laws.
In an otherwise uncontroversial agenda, nearly forty branches and districts havesubmitted motions on anti-union legislation. The majority clearly demand the repeal of all anti-union laws, with some also callfor the Camaign for . ree Trade Unions. But a minority reiterate the position of the Labour Party document 'Looking to the future, which retains many of the most important restrictions on action imposed by the Tories.
But rather than have a debate between the two positions, the Todd leadership has gerrymandered the agenda, so that he T&G leadership can ge away with supporting both positions. This means that the only way that a policy of consistent opposition to anti-union laws could be won would be by overturning the conference agenda, requiring a two thirds majority; or by overturning the Labour policy document.
This fudge is consistent with Ron Todd's record on anti-union legislation. The dockers strike was sold out just a few weeks after Todd had promised that a major dispute would result from the sacking of a sume worker ane ariast vear s TUC congress, the TGWU delegation voted for both the NALGO motion calling for repeal of all anti-union legislation, and the GMB motion supporting Labour policy.
The agenda has been so arranged that support for the Labour position will follow Kinnock's speech to the conference. But the fact that both policies will be passed will allow the Morris leadership to maintain one of Todd's traditions - a veneer of radical rhetoric, and a practice of support tor Kinnock's 'new realism'.
But the union's Broad Left is not organising any challenge to this carve-up. Rather, focussing its public meeting on the election for Bill Morris' successor as Deputy General Secretary.
A group of left-wing union activists, t he TGWU solidarity group, will be organising a meeting at the conference to discuss way forward after Morris' victory.