TRANSI This dispute has been IN DUD much delayed. It was called off eighteen months ago acainst the wishes of the No privatli members, and forced back on after a rank and file mysteriously messed up so that no action was possible unar aner the general cro tion. But the RMT membership is clearly committed to winning this dispute. Fred Leplat Train companies realise this and whilst threatening legal action to halt the dis- in a personal pute they have been desper- capacity) ately trying to find individual compromises. ond term, ( This time round the RMT leadership needs to hold firm until all our demands The Institute for Guardian,
KEEP OUR
JOBS WHERE THEY No privatisation No privatisation into it. The decision of the with carn- , • ship with Labour and sponcandidates from other parties is an indication that UNISON's there is a mood for a more Critical unions, Within the has usually been quite a critical most active branches and the the (unelected) national officers Maggie and the majority of the NEC of the Party Branches have been obliged from government on their sup- own, employer by employer. egy for a national industrial action, against Hospital conducted a valiant i fight forcing postponement for 6 months the transfer stall to private con deal for a net 'Let me through, I'm a Pri hospital. Incy supported days and these deep communitv. But. Diane Abbott and own they eventually could not stop the transfer. paigns such as that for a ¡tively Public" in defence of public have relationship entusiasm of the membership. Branch stewards and memloud Chicism from the Labour and a program government and continue to roll through the programme of privatisations. Trap UNISON's national offinational cials are caught in a trap: openly critical of Labour left to come together and aunch a "United Lelt combining the forces of the Campaign for a Fighting and Democratic UNISON, mem bers of the SWP and other individuals. The departure of Rodney Bickerstaffe and Rita Donaghy, the two most able and charismatic national figthe union in a much weaker PUSIETE The strengthening influence of the left is provoking a naranoid response from the establishment. There is a with knce-jerk reaction against Local activists are being disciplined, and expelled there onspurious through unjust disciplinary rules. The branch secretary of Bolton appealing against for "mis appropriation funds" because a ballot had to be rerun as a list supplied to the regional office for the first innocently included retired members. includ- The re-running of the balsuccessful, meant the national union ow incurred Dudley therefore, in the eyes of the burcaucrac misappropriThe defensiveness of the establishment is extending to tighter control of minority views in the leading bod. 349018 The May part of responsibility" had to be exercised by the NEC. This means NEC members cannot represent members facing disciplinary action by the union, or step on their off the platform to speak agains: NEC policy. The tightening screw on the left at branch and natonal cycl seis mil "Pos- motion a dangerous dynamic which has not occurred Party: democracy is extinguished and critics vilified. A vigorous response must be mounted against the lack of strategy and the attacks on democracy.
the The United Left needs to will by being open and democratic, develop serious programmes the best builder of the union, and the most loyal defender of members and public services.
took a series of well- Labour spin doctor'