Plan for Nalgo Conference

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'Unity' Contract gathered in London to plan a campaign for calling a special conference.

From the outset it was clear that Communist Party Stalinists and the Socialist Workers Party had reached a basis of agreement on procedures and tactics towards the special conference but had failed to give the movement any clear programme.

The Stalinists, in tact, continued their strategy of stressing the need for 'unity' against the need for a clear One consequence of this was that a number of the resolutions sent to the meeting called for productivity deals and acquiescence in staff cuts.

The Stalinists' resolution, which was eventually carried, does no more than call for pay rises "in line with the private sector"

While calling for rejection of wage control in general and cash limits in particular, it shows no method of fighting for these demands.

It ignores the effect of inflation on public sector wages under the Social Contract and makes no mention of the problem of the lower paid.

Amendments

There was a series of amendments, some calling for £10, some for £15, others for productivity deals to compensate for the loss of thousands of jobs in the last two years and so on and on for what seemed like hours.

The high point of the day's entertainment came when a speaker from the Pabloit: IMG tried to hand a call for the sliding scale of wages onto a resolution which supported the 12month rule.

Ritualistic

As the dreary business dragged on: the debate resolved itself into a battle between the Stalinists' resolution and the SWP's ritualistic demand for £15, which they have been making for the last two years regardless of continuing inflation.

The IMG, in desperation at its own irrelevance went through a series of turn arounds that must have left even them dizzy before coming down in favour of the SWP and their f15.

Once the Stalinist resolution was carried a large number of branches agreed to participate in the procedure for calling the special conference.

At this stage we should support the call and prepare resolutions that put forward a serious programme for the defence l of jobs and conditions in the public sector.

Workers Socialist League members and supporters should take care in giving support to the call for a special conference.

Branch resolutions should be phrased in such a way as to support the moves made by the Scottish branches which are co-ordinating the campaign.

If they support the resolution in other terms they will find that conference procedures rob them of the right to propose amendments. Health Authority over the future of Bethnal Green Hospital has drawn to a close.

The threat to the casualty wards and other services vital to the population of this East London area, now looms with full force.

In the wake of the forcible closure of Hounslow Hospital as well as the threat to another East London Hospital in Plaistow, the defence of Bethnal Green stands at the centre of the necessary tasks.

However, a step forward was taken. A speaker from the Workers Socialist League proposed a resolution for trade union branches demanding that the leaderThe committee accepted the resolution and it is being circulated to trade union branches.

The Workers Socialist League will now be taking up the fight for the policy of strike action against the cuts through this resolution, and calls on readers working in the health service in London to support this move.

It is through such a fight that the mobilisation of workers in defence of hospitals can be prepared and the inaction of the union leaderships exposed.

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The period of 'consul- tation' by the Area