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J1 KHUE UNI miTnl!

In June 1969 a TUC Special Congress voted to endorse a document undertaking to police the unions and stamp out unofficial disputes, using disciplinary measures against militants.

This "Programme of Action" was a public betrayal of the fight against the Wilson government's White Paper "In Place of Strife", drawn up by Barbara Castle.

But this public betrayal was nothing compared to the TUC's scandalous activities behind the scenes.

While the battle was being waged by socialists to mobilise the working class against the measures, the TUC was conducting a breathtaking series of cynical deals in secret meetings with the government.

None of these stitch-ups were known at the time, to those of us involved in struggles.

The publication of Barbara Castle's diary in the Sunday Times in January of this year has given us a glimpse of these manoeuvres and the relationship between the personalities involved.

White Paper She reveals that she had decided very early on to fully involve the TUC leaders in her plans.

As soon as she ha completed drafting her Whit Paper in mid December 196 she made her move. She sai that the key to the situation wi George Woodcock, Gener: Secretary of the TUC. Th assessment was to stand her i good stead "In the afternoon / st George Woodcock alon [Woodcock of course was st General Secretary of the TUC: that time but was in the proce of handing over to V Feather).

"On ampuise I have decide to take him completely into m confidence about what i a proposing to do over Donova He listened to my full resume silence and then, to my surpris said that he didn't think the was anything there that net alarm the trade union mov ment.

"I could hardly believe my ears! But he urged me to take the TUC Finance and General Purposes Committee equally fully into my confidence."

She goes on:

"This shook me rather as l know that whatever I tell them will leak"

But Woodcock pressed the point. Castle conceded the point and explained:

"He knew I would be taking a risk ... but he was sure it would reap dividends ... Just before he left remarked casually that, after Christmas, 1 should want to talk to him about the chairmanship of the CIR [Commission on Industrial Relations). He tried to keep his face dead pan at this but his eyelids flickered and I could almost feel his hopes rising".

This eagerness of Wnodcock to feather his own nest is particularly astounding when you consider that the CIR was not even set up at that time.

It was a part of Castle's package of proposals-and therefore would only be set up if the proposals went through.

The bait had drawn the fish Obviously if Woodcock wa already considering becomin chairman of the CIR there wa no chance of him opposing he measures.

Following this private cor versation with Woodcoci Barbara Castle met the TU F&GP in December.

The purpose of the meetir was to outline to them he proposals-her all out attack a the basic rights of the workir class.

She opened the meeting b asking these leaders of the worl ing class for an assurance c confidentiality. This was no very difficult as the Diar explains:

"Then George said they a accepted a pledge of confider tiality. So I went ahead... Tr atmosphere as i talked was quit and serious. Even the questior were muted ard there wer certainly no attacks. Fran Cousins frownad a good dei while George played it dea pan. Nonetheless / was under n illusions as to what woul happen when the press closed i on them."

In fact some of it did leak t the press and Castle was -embarrassed.

But she was quite clear this was a meeting of r mental importance and the committment of these union leaders to her plan tar more important embarrassment or protocol.

Cryptic The Parliamentary were no more of a problem rang Tony Benn who gr: her "cheerfully" with the v "I'm your friend"

This cryptic comment soon to blossom into w hearted support for Castle her anti-union plans.

Still sticking closely Woodcock, on January 2' she jointly met the TUC anx CBI about her proposais.

Naturally the CBI said though the proposals were good but should go fur Then she explains:

"After the meeting people smuggled Ge Woodcock into my room a formally offered him the c manship of the CIR. Althi he carefully controlled his tions I could see his eyes up. He repeated that he tho the White Paper was excel And he went on almost pa ately to say that I had giver trade union movement opportunity he had al wanted... and clearty inf that my penal clauses woul an incentive for the unio do the job themselves* When she presente: White Paper to the := cabinet there was = curious line-up.

The main oppositiocame from Callaghan. * the penal clauses wer= = and "harmful"

Supported Benn and Hea?. other hand strong. s-"? Castle and Jenk: = =measures shoula * =2-7 much quicker "==planned.

The Cabi-s: + 1:

For--Wilson Gardener, 5-=Peart, JE- 5..:

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Thursday April

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