SOGAT NEC keeps up 'left, right' march

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Conference was once again largely composed of Branch Secretaries and other paid officials, who appeared to thrive on the Annual Holiday Binge atmosphere, and the lavishly expensive social events at which they appeared with their partners and relatives dressed in expensive suits and evening gowns.

In some areas, branches did not even hold meetings to elect delegates: instead they were 'selected', and had little interest in the conference proceedings.

It was not surprising under these conditions that the NEC and the right wing completely dominated the conference, ably supported by a very large contingent of Communist Party Stalinists and the Militant group.

The first 3½ days were taken up by proposed changes in the rule book. Many of them were of a minor nature, but allowed some . leading, long-standing delegates once again to monopolise the microphones.

As a result, all the more important policy and political resolutions were crammed into the last two days, with the time lactor severely limiting discussion.

A total of 33 motions were composited by agreement between the Standing Orders Committee, the NEC and several large branches, _particularly the largest branch (London Central) with its Stalinist leadership, into a general resolution led in by This deplored the Tories' economic and monetarist policies, the destruction of productive industry and the welfare state, the increasing unemployment, rising inflation and cuts in public expenditure.

Shopping list

It called for 'measures' to stop the cuts, repeal of anti-union laws, a "change of out compensation, the introduction of a 35 hour week to combat loss of jobs arising from new technology and withdrawal from the EEC.

its shopping list also included the diversionary call to fight redundancies in industry through selective import controls as well as demanding the introduction of retirement at 60 years for both men and women.

During the debate it was difficult to distinguish the Stalinists and the Militant from the right wing.

The Stalinists were generous in their praise of the General Secretary and the NEC over the agreement reached with the employers in the annual pay negotiations, which were sold out for less than the £80 'united' claim with the NGA and NATSOPA.

There was no mention at all of Bill Keys' involvement in the steel strike sell out. • A motion calling for pursuit of a basic minimum wage of £90 per week was carried, but another asking for a fifth week's annual holiday was remitted at An Oxford branch motion calling for a sliding scale of wages to keep pace with inflation attracted some support but was strongly opposed by the NEC and defeated.

Also defeated was resolution calling for the future election 'every five years' of all full time officials. This motion was criticised at length by the NEC.

The platform also persuaded the conference to reject a move against the wording on ballot papers which over many years has recommended acceptance of pay settlements, regardless of the degree of success against the employers.

Among slightly brighter notes, conference did pass resolutions in opposition to any form of incomes policy, and for consolidation of supplementary payments into basic rates for overtime, extra payments for working unsocial hours and the implementation of a national sick pay scheme for the There was a demand for a more rigorous campaign on equal pay for women. On abortion, after lively and interesting debate with a "Life' supporter, a motion: : for a woman's right to choose' was carried by a large majority, along with a call for paternity rights of leave for men.

One union SOGAT is also now committed to a speedy orientation to achieve the ot jective of one union for the print A further resolution calling for British withdrawal from nuclear missiles was also passed, as was a call to start a campaign within the trade union and labour movement for the disbandment of the Special Patrol Group.

But a Stalinist motion for SOGAT to reaffirm its commitment on Northern Ireland to adopt the TUC's reactionary Better Life for All campaign was also carried.

The total domination of SOGAT by the right wing and the Tribunites, tailed in everything by the fake revolutionaries of the Communist Party and Militant group emphasises the absence of any substantial Trotskyist presence within the union able to wage a principled fight for the defence of the interests of the working class.

MINERS... from p.12 interest to British miners where the capitalist class goes shopping for its coal: the sole issue at stake is the defence of the interests of the working class.

The Scottish NUM went on to unanimously endorse a 35% pay claim, seeking a £100 minimum wage-a figure likely to be carried at the national conference next month.

The threat to miners' jobs is not new: but the strength and self confidence of the NUM has grown by leaps and bounds since the struggles of 1972 and 1974.

In fighting for a leadership capable of defending their interests, miners are urged to join the trade unionists attending the July 5 conference of the Campaign for Democracy in the Labour Movement (details p.4).

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course" by the goverment, measures to re-nationalise with-