Why does the Foreign Office back TUC International work?

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Union leaders behind Chile Solidarity banner!, why does TUC maintain links with ORIT which helped pave the way for Pinochet? : 1) The TUC now spends about £600,000 a year on international work. Most of this is trade union money, but some comes from the Foreign Office. Why don't TUC reports to conference explain who overseas receives this cash? 2) Although the TUC subscribes to the idea of "free and independent" trade unionism the international department appears to relate more closely to the Foreign Office than the membership. Why have recent TUC reports to conference failed to report that two members of the international staff have been seconded to the Foreign Office or that it was planned that someone from the Foreign Office be seconded to the TUC's international Dear Editor, Thete is growing concern within the trade union movement about the TUC's international programme.

These involve allegations that, in some cases, funds have been used to oppose real and representative worker movements overseas. There is also concern about Foreign Office links with the TUC's international department.

So far the TUC has failed to make a detailed reply to these various charges. The main cause for concern, however, which is not in dispute, is IUc tallure to make its overseas work accountable to the membership.

Police in Southall department? 3) Why does the TUC still maintain official links with a Latin American and Carribean regional affiliate-the Inter-American Organisation of Workers (ORIT)-named by a US Senate Committee as being associated with the downfall of a number of democratic governments in that region and. since discovered to.. have played a role in the downfall of Allende's government in Chile? 4) A number of past and present members of the TUC international committee have said publicly that because of their jobs they don't have the time to properly administer the TUC's, • international programme. Why is there no advisory comAt present the TUC overseas bill amounts to about £600,000 a year, including an annual £180,000 from the Foreign Office. No details are provided to the membership about who receives this cash and for what purpose.

This • secrecy makes impossible even the idea of worker international solidarity. At the same time the global recession and consequent unemployment and erosion of trade union rights makes it more imperative than ever that workers link across frontiers.

As a result a group of Saturday 19 January ationwide day of activit to raise £10,000 for the Southall Defence FundSupport local activities Sunday 20 January Picket of Pentonville Prison s the Southall prison rch from Euston Stati Assemble 1 pm. work similar to that which exists for other TUC departments? 5) In 1975 the TUC, Foreign Office and CBI met to discuss jointly funding an overseas "labour" programme. Why was the TUC membership not informed about this scheme and what are its implications for the idea of worker international solidarity? 6) The relevant standing order defining the purpose of the TUC's international work reads"The TUC shall enter into relations with trade unions and labour • movements with a view to united action." Is this any longer sufficient?

A new campaign has been launched to spotlight the shady role being played by: TUC bureaucrats on the international stage. While we are critical of the political limitations of the campaign, we fully support the struggle to open up these ques. tions in the British labour move. ment.

concerned trade unionists are planning to hold a public meeting in London in February to launch a national labour movement campaign to make the TUC's overseas work accountable to the membership.

. A number of prominent figures within the labour movement, well known for their campaigning work on international issues, have agreed to sponsor the meeting an individual capacity.

They include-Reg Williams, (CPSA national executive committee), Jack Collins (Kent NUM), Tony Ayland TUC South Western Regional Council), Peter Heathfield (NUM national executive committee), * Ernie Roberts MP Ken Coates (Institute of Workers Control), Joan Maynard MP, Stuart MacLellan (CPSÁ), George Anthony (North London AUEW), Stan Newens MP and Roland Sherritt (Secretary, Stirling Trades The meeting will take place on Sunday, February 10 in the Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London, starting at 2 p.m.

May I appeal through your paper for trade union support and participation and ask that all inquiries about the campaign be directed to:

Don Thomson, 1 Cambridge Terrace, London NW1: troops by Mr Ken Pollington, of ring at £50 to £60 now will city that been 4- Laa mard ram far the nrarinne world crazy for the precious metal again.

This expression of lack of confidence in international capitalism to resolve its crises was boiled down to the 'fact' that the plain man and woman is supposed to be able to understand: how much a gold tooth costs, and what your family heirloom might be worth.

Already the new era has begun to have a tärnished look about it. Not all that glistens turns out to be gold.

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SOUr PHOTO: Johr Sturrock, Report