UNISON's first conference failed to defend its members against current government attacks on the public sector.
In the debate on public sector pay, a loomiess monon was varried. An amendment calling for a national one-day strike was defeated, despite gaining 37 per cent support. This buries any lingering hopes of UNISON taking national action against the pay freeze this year.
Action over pay in some sections is still possible, though this is unlikely given the leadership's willingness to settle for offers of around 2 per cent.
The only left victory was on defence of the NHS with the adoption of a motion, opposed by the Executive and UNISON leader Rodney Bickerstaffe, committing the union to oppose closure of health facilities by means "up to and including strike action".
Real battle lines were not drawn over policy issues but over democracy and the running of the union. Since the merger, union officials have increased their control over the simictures at members' expense.
A mood of distrust of National Officers and the National Executive Committee amongst delegates met with a ruthless response from the bureaucracy, led by ex-NUPE officials.
Ex-NUPE full-timers seized on the issue of Labour Party affiliation to divide the conference, claiming that the exNALGO left, which was not affiliated to the Labour Party, was trying to control the union's political fund without paying into it.
New union rules prevent ballot on Labour Party affiliation until 1997. Division into affiliated and non-affiliated union sections prevents discussion on Labour Party issues. This allows leaders to witch-hunt the left by playing on distrust between delegates from the founder unions.
This mood was used to overwhelmingly defeat atfiliation to the Anti-Nazi League and Youth Against Racism in Europe.
As conference wore on an anti-leadership sentiment amongst delegates culminated in a unanimous vote against plans to build new headquarters.
Closure
However a consequence of this will be the closure of the old COHSE and NUPE headquarters, with bureaucrats concentrated in the NALGO head office.
The battle, predominantly by ex-NUPE officials, against rank-and-file activists has culminated in the closure of the British Gas The beaton tart DICK Picket of British Gas AGM Liverpool branch.
Steps were taken to bring together health activists from the three merged unions, with a highly successful 100-strong evening meeting convened by one of the Manchester health branches on the eve of the health section conference.
Plans have been laid for this meeting to reconvene before the autumn health sector conterence.
Steps are being taken to coordinate left-wingers in the union following a large meeting organised jointly by three regional left caucuses.
This development must inMSF Conference UNISCIN volve working to overcome the divisions between the former unions, with mergers occuring quickly at branch level despite obstruction from regional officials.
Local government branches will have to fight for practical solidarity with struggles against • hospital closures.
We must meet this challenge so that the left will not be wiped out in UNISON. A July meeting will plan an autumn conference.
• The Campaign for a Fighting Democratic Union can be contacted c/o Islington UNISON "A" branch, la Canonbury Street, London N1 2TA.