Conference Split on Rules

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The same issues - pay and amalgamation - dominated the full joint conference of the AUEW this week, with the amalgamation issue splitting the union from top to bottom.

We must make our position clear. The Workers Socialist League is in favour of amalgamation and for as much united action of the trade union movement as is possible both at local level and nationally.

But the principle of defence of free collective bargaining and the complete independence of the unions should stand above the amaigamation issue and not be prejudiced by it.

Unfortunately, when the TUC's mage-cutting policy came betore the joint conference the majority of delegates (35) abstained, leaving it carried by 34 votes to nil.

RULING

reason for the abstentions ruling by Scar on that the Engineering ring section de gates were hu the cartion's conference to vote for the pay deal.

This ruling meant that the Engineering section could decide all decisions at the full conference because they have an overali majority of delegates. On this basis the smaller sections may as well not bother to participate.

Scanlon's ruling therefore throws into question the whole basis of full amalgamation of the four sections. - In the bitter arguments which took place last week the smaller sections were quoting a rule adopted to protect the rights of the smaller unions when they amalgamated into the AUEW as separate sections. This states:

"Each Section shall be entitled to submit for consideration of the National Conference any resolution or resolutions dealing with issues which affect more than one Section; all such resolutions shall be submitted to the National Conference; such resolutions may be considered at one or more of the policy conferences of the sections, but policy decisions of the National Conference shal overrule and supercede any relevant policy decision of any nne of theos sectiont and casil be binding on the National Executive Council of the Union and also on the Sections"

(Rule 13(a) emphasis added! The Construction section delegates correctly pointed out that under this rule the National Committee of the Engineering section never had any right to change their position and accept the £6 pay limit - since opposition was decided at an amalgamated conference.

Nor did Scanlon and the AUEW Executive have constitutional authority to take action against the striking Leyland toolroom workers.

The scorn of the right-wing for democratic procedures and constitutions is clearly exposed in this The WSL is in favour of TASS and the CEU leading a fight against the pay policy - and refusing to accept this week's vote.

Clearly the vote itself must be retaken, this time according to the rules of the full union, but before this takes place there must be a full discussion throughout the union and a genuine mandate obtained from the membership.

The Jones-Healey pay policy must be rejected and any section of workers fighting it must be given full official backing.

In campaigning for a re-vote the WSL will fight also for the policy of seeking a sliding scale of wages clause in all agreements, and an explicit defence of free collective hansainino

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SOCIALIST PRESS. Wednesday Jan Jai. 1975 VOTE "NO" TO The NUM ballot of membership on acceptance or rejection of the wage-cutting Jones-Healey pay plan is now in its last few days in many areas. A rejection of the plan would provide a crucial platform from which to launch action to defeat the reactionary policies of this Labour government INDUSTRIAL NEWS I