The New Circular

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The 1975 Congress approved revisions to Rule 14 of the Model Rules and Standing Orders for a Trades Council on proscribed organisations and also the optional clause on disruption by delegates. A copy of the present Model Rules is The revised Model Rule 14 does not entail any change of principle or of TUC policy with regard to these matters but brings the rules up to date and in line with the advice which the General Council already gives from time to time to Trade At the individual level, Trades Councils are currently able to adopt an optional rule refusing to accept the credentials of delegates from trade union branches who are members of the Communist or Fascist Parties or of an organisation proscribed by the General Council. During its review of this clause the General Council and the Trades Councils' Joint Consultative Committee took the view that all trade unlonists acting in the best interests of the trade union movement should have the same democratic rights, including that of becoming delegates to Trades Councils. In this context the test should be the individual's actions, rather than his party membership. It has therefore been decided by Congress that in place of the existing optional clause in the Model Rules there should be substituted a new "The Council has the right to refuse to issue credentials to, In relation to the organisational level, Model Rule 14 for Trades Councils which by a decision of the 1934 Congress had to be adopted by all Trades Councils (and CATCs) recognised by the TUC, stated "In no circumstances shall the Council co-operate with or subscribe to the funds of the Communist or fascist Parties, or any subsidiary organisations ot these tarties, or any industra organisation which has been proscribed by the General Couneil."

In its review of this rule the General Council and the TCJCC noted that the TUC had never published a list of subsidiary organisations of the Communist or Fascist Parties or a list of proscribed organisations because the titles of such bodies varied from time to time (but not necessarly the personnel of such bodies). Until the 1950's the interpretation of what was meant by the Communist Party and its subsidiary organisations extended to all so called "front" orgartsations which were closely identified with the views and policies of that The General Council and the TCJCC recognised that in recent years other political parties and groups and unofficial trade union bodies have emerged which directly or indirectly seek to use or involve Trades Councils in their activities. These bodies operate outside the established policy-making machinery of their own unions and the TUC, and adopt and pursue policies which are contrary to It is TUC policy to advise Trades Councils not to associate in any way with such bodies. This is because Trades Councils, as local agents of Congress have the responsibility of carrying out Congress policy and they should not therefore associate with or support in any way unofficial organisations which pursue Model Rule 14 has therefore been revised to take account of the existence and activities of the above bodies. Specific reference to the Communist and Fascist Parties has been deleted but the revised rule covers any organisations whose policies or activities are contrary to those of Congress. The present Model Rules and advice permit Trades Councils to establish links with the local Labour Party. and the Trades Councils Guide points out that there are many matters in which a Trades Council and local Labour Party have a common interest and that co operation between the two bodies can be of advantage to both. The present provisions dealing with the Labour Party have therefore been retained. However; the revised rule will also make clear that a Trades Council cannot support any Revised Model Rule 14: Political and Industrial Organisations.

The revised Model Rule 14 on Political and Industrial Organisations which, by a decision of Congress, must now be included in the rules of all Trades Councils "In no circumstances shall the Trades Council co-operate with or subscribe to the funds of any organisation whose policies or activities are contrary to those of Congress. Nor shall the Trades Council co-operate with or subseribe to the funds of any political party other than the local Labour Part with which the Council may co-operate providing that no part of the funds of tge Counci derived from tze general funds of affiliated trade unions shall be applied directly or indirectly in the furtherance of the political objects specified As in the case of the former Model Rule 14 it will be a condition of recognition by the TUC that Trades Councils and CATCs adopt and operate the revised Model Rule 14. Trades Councils and CATCs are therefore asked to set in motion the procedure for altering their rules to enable Trades Councils and CATOs to adopt the revised rule at their Annual General Meeting in 1976. A motion to substitute the wording of the revised Model Rule 14 for the former rule should therefore be placed before the Trades Council and CATC. I would be glad if Trades Councils and CATCs would notify the TUC on the attached form that they have încorporated the revised Model Rule 14 in their rules.

Any Trades Council which does not adopt the revised Model Rule 14 will not Colleague, enclosed, Councils.

The present rules and advice along with the dealt with below.

Optional Clause on Disruption by Delegate. optional clause which reads:

Whether or not a Trades Council has an optional Trades Council to decide. declared Congress policies.

policies contrary to those decided by Congress. other political party.

and CATCs therefore reads:

Adoption of revised Model Rule 14. have complied with TUC registration requirements.

LIONEL MURRAY Organisations revisions adopted by Congress are or to withdraw credentials from, a delegate who has disrupted the work of the Trades Council." in Section 3 (3) of the Trade Union Act 1913."

Secretary.