A column from Socialist Democracy, Irish section of the Fourth international tainable if it turns out that they have been involved in Of course such words of mean absolutely nothing. T'hey are only to get by an awkward moment, and you can be sure that Ervine T political advice to the pipe bombers of the UVE There is good reason to believe that the UDA was encouraged unbelievable public denial by officials acting on behalf trade of the British government to allow it to continue with its a rank and policy of maintaining thai the Loyalist cease-fire is 'still The WDA bad just mei with the decommissioning social partnership body: The government line restated by a senior lation, officer after the wage implemented *There is nothing to say assault that the UVF is involved as democracy an organisation, but there be individuals taking February 10° action as individuals."
Acceptance There is nothing new abour this ruling political culture of blithely accepting Loyalist crimes. For over thirty years there has been a permissive Hanice and UHTOHIS toleration of Loyalist vio- ward.
Itis dow gcacraily accepica that undercover British army (the Korce Kescarch alternative Unit) that took their chain of and the burcaucracy. command from the Joint cadership of the Committec actually heavily involved in directing Loyalist violence. Rights Watch report indicted FRU agents in the direct killing of at least 14 pcople between 1986 and 1990 using instrument of death.
be task of ordi- wider agrade cher has alway nary workers is to been part of partnership. reclaim their fact it called for the ICTU unions from the Icaactsmip to go back 1ato bureau- negotiations to TOTCH cracy that presently misleads WOCY Tic moveicn wisnc framework when over 100 other UBIOHISES BICT Dublin to discuss setting up file campaign •saist soci partacrsaip- tion to it. As Socialist In the Republic of Ireland Democracy has pointed our the bureaucracy has presided this was over nearly fourteen years of obnquc vote or contocnce in deals. A the present leadership. neo-liberal agenda of deregu- For us the key to judging privatisation and whether a new restraint has been would be up to the tasks factrade lessons had been learned. In particular it had to underThe one-day conference on stand that partnership agreewas called by ments were not simply pay deals. Partnership Deal. Last year The most important aspect it organised to oppose adop »f the deals has been a politition by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions of the latest involving acceptance of the partnership deal - the mis. whole agenda of the for ngot wins social abd ccoProsperity and Fairness. nomic policies, now known This in itself was a step for- as neo-liberalism.
Previous campaigns This is usually sold as had arieen just before votes "competitiveness"; in other hampering WOOS OSA ORCES SOOH consideration of a long-term not join in solidarity with nartnership workers elsewhere in Europe The and beyond, but compete campaigr with them PPF pushed work hardest and for least aside the question of politi- reward. cal strategy with the justifi. The meeting showed that these lessons were at least up was to get the rote out. for discussion.
This led to serious mis. Democracy member takes in the campaign, which Keating pointed out that just concerned itself solely with because Oliver the demand for higher wage for "more' didn't mean and effectively ignored the wanted to whole workhouse system. ther should claim that the price of exploitation would actually challenge it, placing it ADOVC TOTe get more attacks that workers face.
No doubt this debate will go on but the fact that it started Remand was for a bete words the is in itself a step forward.
'he conference resolution" also showed some positive opposi- movement although much to be desired. effectively pages of resolutions were disWing little time to read and absorb them while listening to speeches from the platform. Wnciea devoted to addressing the resolutions, which, primary outcome of meeting, were the important thing about the Better procedure must be WOTKCRS adopted.
resolutions may be the cause most of differences. In a camwe should all ensure we practice what we preach. ortunately the resdid TOHOTS cause major division. In fact they reflected who advance on the political basis of previous campaiens dealing with the question of privatisation, anti-union the transfer of wealth from Kevin the Golden circle workers who produce ile Twist asked Nevertheless there is room for elaboration and clanticathe tion. UYCEHUH Particular resolutions were cacuonary ucaly into a good one that could be supported. pontical A resolution on the mini.
mum wage was also remitted when the conterence could not agree at what level it should be set at. The resolution on the Nice Treaty had particular signifi. cance because, implemented, it would involve a Three campaign inside the union movement on an explicitly potltical issuc However only time will tell whether the political aspects the resolutions will achieve the prominence they he aims of the the clearly very ambimost tious, with a reso.
lution passed calling for the setting up of an office and a regular bulwhere The overall role of the campaign has still to be clarified. purely one of organising solidarity which really should be, and at present could only be, carried out by itself. The real value of a rank and file campaign at present is to bring the lessons of prenership to groups of workers who are engaging in new The campaigo elected a the committee oversee including representatives from ATGWU and ASTI, indeDerwin and Eddie SWP and Socialist Party. All in all, the conference a posiuve start to tac crucial task of workers workers UPPUS aSICE ship and fight for a genuine It reflected the first moves to greater co-operation on the left. Hopefully the campaisa will so on to acmon strate the benefits of such