[He pointed to European countries where the trade…]

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He pointed to European countries where the trade unions had not only achieved cost of living agreements but in some cases had achieved agreements bound to a trade union index.

Tommy Riley, a lorry drivers delegate from Liverpool, also supported the motion, saying that there must be provision to re-negotiate as wages were eaten away by inflation.

Surprised

Teddy Gates, from London Docks and chairman of the National Ports Stewards Committee added further support.

He said he was surprised the platform was opposing the motion and would be interested to hear their reasons, for doing SO.

Moss Evans, for the Executive, pointed to Thatcher's proposal to cook the figures as a reason to be careful about this demand.

He argued once again against "tying the hands" of-negotiators to specific . demands, and appealed to Alan Thornett to remit the motion to the executive where, he said, it would get a "sympathetic hearing"!

'In reply to the debate, Alan Thornett stressed that one of the reasons that the standard of living is higher in Europe than in Britain is because many workers are protected by cost of living clauses.

He stressed again the importance of trade union based figures and appealed . to delegates to support the motion.

The closeness of the vote shows an important development in the TGWU.

One-third Four years ago when this demand was first raised in the TGWU it got only a handful of votes.

In 1977 it got one-third of the conference.

This time it represented one of the most effective challenges to the platform at a TGWU conference in the history of the union.

If this demand is developed and fought for as pay reviews come up for wide sections of the working class, it could transform the wages struggle in Britain and provide a real basis for defending the working class against inflation.