UCW Conference: Tuffin ducks nut
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-06-02Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 15 →
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INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS FROM USA I SOUTH AFRICA I GRENAD APPLY FOR DELAILS FROM 32 ELLERY DORD LONDON SEI IN THE second part of its conference (May 22-27) the Union of Communications Workers leadership-managed to regain some of the ground it had lost in the first two days. It suffered only one more defeat.
The issue was again New Technology. Following Monday's vote to withdraw all cooperation until a New Technology agreement had been reached with the Post Office, conference instructed the leadership to fight for a reduction of hours from the present 43 to 38, and report back to the members on progress.
But on other major issues the Executive Committee won. Conference accepted the recommendation to reopen negotiations with the Communication Managers' Association as part of trade union • "rationalisation' which had been defeated by the 1982 Conference in favour of a union merger of rank and file grades only between the UCW, POEU and CPSA.
The bag of peanuts thrown at Alan Tuffin by a speaker from the rostrum showed the rank and file feeling at the EC's failure to deliver any reductions on differentials, but still they won a vote in support of their record. And on pay, the Labour Party and TUC new 'social contract' docume was easily carried after an amen ment calling for its rejection w: withdrawn.
Other important issues we not even reached. Despite i obvious importance, privatisatic was not discussed and hard mentioned by the platform. A amendment demanding jou action with other BT unions a; never heard. Neither was th composite against expulsior from the Labour Party, whic called for the reinstatement ‹ those expelled. •The new EC, elected in ballot immediately befor Sunday's vote of no confideno showed little change. The onl gain for the left was Broad Le supporter John Griffiths (Whitt Amal).
There was an undoubte feeling of bitterness throughor the conference at the UCW leade ship's record of capitulation o both pay and jobs. However, t ability of the EC to ride it ou and even regain some lost groun underlines the Left's lack i coordination and organisatior The Broad Left needs to tack this problem.