¡ National affiliations (§20 per branch) and enquiries g to Paul Harris, 6 Beulah View, Leeds, LS6 2LA 1.30pm at Friends Meeting House, Euston Rd, NW1 Details from Brian Gardner, Islington UNISON A. third of branches. In particular the strength of self-organised groups played an important role in NALGO but was never drawn into the formal 'Left' organisations.
It is early yet to assess the strength of the left in UNISON. The lack of structures has been used by full-time officials to increase their power. officials in particular appear to supporters, previously strong at a regional level.
The 'left' on the National Executive has had some success in holding back the worst excesses of the full-time officials, but the NEC with 125 members is too unwieldy a body to be effective and day to day control remains with officials.
Some strikes have taken place with official support, nois the key initiative. Formed around a statement signed by hundreds of branch activists a conference is being called on the following demands • National action against cuts, CCT and privatisation;
• Fight the public sector pay freeze - for a minimum wage at two thirds the national average;
• Repeal all Tory anti-union laws using defiance of those laws where necessary;
• For a democratic and accountable UNISON under lay member control with full branch representation and autonomy -for rapid branch mergers;
• Defence of self-organisation for oppressed groups This first national launch conference originally scheduled for 20 November is now likely to be postponed until January to avoid clashing with the TUC Health day of action. where branch affiliation cannot yet be achieved, from branch based CFDU supporters groups. Provision will also be made to encourage delegates from self-organised groups. The conference will be open to any individual UNISON members as observers without vote.
Given the current political climate and limited channels of communication in the new union the numbers initially involved in the CFDU may be relatively small but it is important that they are as broad based as possible and hopefully involve those currently beginning to organise on the left of the NEC.
In any case the important task is to establish the Campaign as a democratic fighting force at every level of the union.
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No.51, October 30 1993, Page 5 Protestors surge into and