Keeping them sweet

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Scenes from the TUC (clockwise): Sid Weighell/NUR), Boyd, Laird and Duffy (AUEW): standing ovation for Callaohan. Dan Todd ITCW. Front Channoll /FEPTINWatching this bizarre display of TV rhetoric, synthetic breast-beating and theatrical arm-waving was a mixed bag of delegates ranging from the expected pla' ons of full-time officials to an angry handful of unsuspecting lay members getting their first nauseating glimpse of how TUC Congresses are fixed.

While some delegates sat smugly through the proceedings watching their fellow bureaucrats or their heroes at work, others were more busy in the bars and on the nearby putting greens. Others held court with the leading right and 'left' wing Labourites hawking for support in the Labour Party conference.

But there was, in most cases little else that delegates could do. Meetings prior to the Congress had generally mandated every delegation - and had selected which delegates were empowered to speak on any issue. Chairman Terry Parry knew he should not call anyone else.

So from that point onwards, the role of a lay delegate in the TUC was simply to spectate, while officials make their rehearsed speeches and bureaucrats cast the card votes.

To help delegates while away the week, the bureaucracy had in many instances offered them lavish accomodation and expenses.

£30 per night Hotel rooms at £30 or more per night were not uncommon; but on top of this, sumptuous lunches and suppers were provided or paid for by the unions; and for those delegates who could manage more, there was a seemingly endless round of union functions, with unlimited free drinks мбнин, nur Ivu (IUwUh, t'rurr Len Murray and Moss Evans and also pock this.

food. Many receive up et money on Employers In case union funds were not sufficient to keep all delegates in the style to which they have become accustomed over. the years, major employers such as Rank Hovis McDougall, ICI and others laid on additional receptions for those unprincipled enough to attend.

Such high-living begins to explain how so many delegates: could sit with serene smiles and a feeling of well-being through an utterly bankrupt Congress that they were powerless to influence in any way.

For the old regulars, the mainstay of each year's TUC Congress, such "perks" are the main reason to come back year after year. And they want at all costs to avoid any conflict with the delegates to £50 top of all union bureaucrats who look after them so well - at the expense of tens of thousands of pounds in members' subscriptions.

It is obviously with these gluttonous time-servers in mind that the TUC leaders scorned the request by Brighton Trades Council that they should reject the civic reception laid on by the town's Tory council -which is cutting spending on everything except entertaining such conferences.

Meanwhile any newcomers who might object to the corruption and extravagance can be expected to attend only one TUC Congress - and, hopefully be replaced by a more obliging nominee.

The embarrassment that this beanfeast has •caused the local Trades Council was referred to in the welcoming speech by its, secretary to the TUC. Indeed the matter is compounded by the fact that so many trade union delegations book into high priced, anti-union hotels.

Even the Grand Hotel next door to the conference centre (£30 per night bed and breakfast) has sacked the GMWU steward and crushed the moves towards unionisation.

Elite

Of course for the arrogant bureaucratic elite in the leadership of the TUC, it is of no significance that the workers who serve their four, five, six and seven course meals are low paid and denied even the right to join a union.

But is it not time that socialists in every union began to insist that national level labour movement conferences use only unionised hotels and boarding houses?

And is it not high time that the profligate spending of the bureaucrats and their hangerson was brought under the control of the members, whose subscriptions are being squandered?