THIS SPRING the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will hold the first General Secretary election since the formation of the The Broad Left has already selected its candidate, Billy Hayes, an elected full timer on the numerically larger ex UCW side of the union. The other certain runners will be the current joint General Secretaries Derek Hodgson (Postal) and Tony Young (Telecom), both Blairite right wingers.
Unfortunately the recent Broad Left AGM did not discuss the election policies and campaign, but a proposal from Hayes and his supporters that the BL should immediately adopt a 'running mate' for the Deputy General Secretary position. This election is not due to take place until the autumn at the earliest. The aim would be to create a broad coalition across the three union constituencies, including sections of the right wing Clerical Constituency leadership.
Opponents rejected the necessity for this move and called instead for a vigorous campaign to mobilise support amongst activists for clear socialist policies in Hayes' campaign. The campaign has yet to produce its first leaflet.
One potential effect of this 'dream ticket' approach would be to drag the BL into an amorphous framework of "new realist" politics, and it could seriously undermine any elements of accountability to BL activists. The proposal was rejected by a 2-1 margin.
BT's introduction of Profit Related Pay, unopposed by BL NEC members, was rejected as a blatant attempt by BT to claw back its €500m windfall tax, and as a softening up exercise for its plans to introduce Performance Related Pay.
Problems with the democratic functioning of the BL surfaced when the AGM was denied the opportunity to vote on all its NEC candidates. The disillusion these practices create amongst some branch activists enables opportunist anti BL candidates to gain support.