in the kadership or the London MSF Conference, Ike every- Region of the union - disbar thing else within the union for ring six former officers from holding any office in the union. over recent months was dominated by the question of the While a small victory was won to allow these activists to AEEU. Glossy propaganda had attend conference as visitors. it been spewed out almost daily was not possible to get the more substantive matters support this mer ger - or erms that would stifle any reasons and because of the need to concentrate the enercebate or my democracy Of course what General goes of the let on the merger Secretary Roger Lyons and his debate itself. supporters kept quiet is the Despite all the resources eal reason they are so despercampaign, and their attempts through. They, with the to silence dissens, the leaderLEEU's Sir Ken Jackson, have ship did not get things all their own way. Conference passed dionary vision - to create a a series of policy resolutions against the wishes of the top now not on threa organisation wedded to part- table - including one hostile to nership with the employers. partnership.
While a majority of conferroad has led to the disasters at Rover and Ford, Lyons was motion arguing in general terms for merger with the a cover from the exposure he AEEU, they then reincted the might otherwise have faced. precise agreement stitched up It is in pursuit of this goal that between the two leaderships. MSF's leadership has carried Ins reflects the fact that mary MSF members, particularty in its most vociferous opponents Back to the drawing board? MSF chief Roger Lyons merger as having an industrial logic but refuse to accept plans sovereignty of union conferences and hand too much this threw the National Executive into crisis and following a hastily convened meeting they tried to submit an emergency resolution to conference which would allow ballot on the terms previousty agreed with some small nods in the direction of conference wishes Rumours were flying round that a failure to agree this proposal could result in a financial crisis and Soonikant scaring Despite the atmosphere of paric, conference stood tim and correctly refused to debate the motion on the grounds that it was not an emergency. With bated breathe, as still more rumours emerged by the minute, the leadership's next manoeuvre would be Remarkably they seemed not to have another plan, and mooed it emergeo that they had received a letter from Ken Jackson which indicated that he make any further concessions to the left - or to see the merger delayed.
As conference ended it seered as if the left might have managed to kick this reactionary project into touch - tough it seered unlikely that Lyons would ghe up so Subsequently an emergency NEC has been called for mid. June, just before the AEEU's om conference, which was due to tie things up from their remain alert to see what they pull out of the bag next. Glenn Voris Secretary of St Helen's TUC (personal capacity) This year's Trades Council conference in May saw 99 del. egates debate a range of motions on issues from asyThis Conference was more open than that of previous years, although some delegates were disappointed bue not surprised when the TUC ruled that two of the motions submitted were unacceptable, TUC policies.
The campaign to Defend Council Housing gained new support, and many delegates that future conferences should combine educational workshops with debates.
The debates on anti-racism and asylum seckers were excelent. lony rechardson from Oxford TUC described the rabid racist polcies of New Labour and the Tories towards asylum seekers locked In moving the resolution on Housing Transfers, I spoke ence of the successful campaign in St Helens against transfer and arguing for joine uniorytenant campaigns. tion was linked to the international attack on welfare state services by the World Trade Organisation, and to the need to link up these struggles inter.
The refusal of trade union leaders to fight, as shown in policies was criticised.
There were only three fringe meetings at the Conference. The official fringe meeting on Trade Unions and the Community was a dull affair. Defend Council Housing and 3t helens IUC organised a well attended joint meeting and gained six new affliations Ar Socialist Outlook's fringe meeting on The Crisis of the Car Industry and the effects on manufacturing'. a Rover increases in productivity which have caused the current crisis of over-production.
Delegates agreed to buil Councils, Inking up Dagenham/Longbridge worka win town eir come nent factories, with the aim of coordinating action throughout the incustry Overal, delegates saw a need to chanse the motionbased format of the conference by including educational workshops.