Secretary, Hull and District TUC TRADES councils aim to bring together the local branches of all TUC affilated unions. They are the regional structures of the TUC.
But given the appalling role of the TUC nationally, should left wingers bother with its local organisations?
Our answer is yes, and Socialist Outlook supporters are active in a significant number of trades councils. Getting involved is not difficult, union branches are often happy that someone is willing to attend on their behalf.
Trades councils have the potential become the key local organisers of campaigns on a wide rande of issues.
They need to offer a platform to all those in struggle -including those not organised through unions.
A good example here is the need to build alliances between trade unionists and all the other groups fighting the Criminal Justice Act. Trades Coln aa0 ta 0gether all the unions in and beyond education and link up with parents to fight against school cuts.
¡rades counciis are me ideal vehicle for uniting antiracist groups in common action against racism, fascism and state racism - Oxford Trades Council has been centrally invoiced in the campaign to close the Campstield immigration prison.
Of course the originl and key role for trades councils is tio e acuuos uaw u ul industrial disputes: currently. Chelmsford Trades Council. for example, is at the centre of solidarity with the 105 sacked bus workers there.
The recent annual conferUNION SPECIAL ence of trades councils showed that a number of them are also involved in serious campaigns in defence of the welfare state.
Of course trades councils vary greatly from area to arpagere are come waere al handful of people have run the organisation for years and have hecome stuck in the vicious circle of low levels of activity leading to low turn-out leading to low levels of activity.
In some areas, local bulletins are used to spread information about disputes to a wider range of trade unionists than turn up to the monthly MPP ANS Trades councils need to build their afiliations: shop стршас гоммирос сап пож affiliate directly.
They can be effective bodVu ui vur uuncs uvu lul ool isation - if the political will is there.
Of course serious militants will not ho attractar to a hor. ing monthly meeting: but they will support an organisation