Greg Tucker reports on the RMT - Labour link TWO YEARS AGO this month I moved a resolution in my RMT Branch to ask the union to allow Branches and Regional Councils the right to support socialist candidates and parties as well as Labour.
The union membership's experience of Labour in government - the failure to renationalise the railways, despite the crisis brought about by the Tory giveaway, coupled with Labour's own part privatisation of London Underground and their introduction of their own anti-union laws meant that the union's national conference that summer was happy to endorse our proposal in principle.
A year; and an illegal war, later the national conference, held in Glasgow, was able to put the principle into practice, with a union rule change which while confirming our Labour affiliation allows Branches and Regions to ask the National Executive to let them support other parties.
Since then a number of Branches and the Scottish Regional Council have asked, and been granted, the right to affiliate to the Scottish Socialist Party. This is not some small cabal hijacking the union, but reflects the deep distrust of Labour by RMT members and the positive experience in Scotland of having a serious socialist political alternative that has collaborated with the union in campaigns to further union policy.
Last week the Labour National Executive gave its response. With only three votes against, it decided that the RMT would be deemed to have ended its affiliation to Labour if we don't reverse our decision by February 7. Recall conference
A recall special conference of the union takes place the day before this deadline. Despite a scurrilous right wing campaign of lies and distortion, delegates should stand firm and uphold the decision they took last summer. Branches around the country consulted on the issues have been clear - the union should face down Labour's bullying tactics.
Without wanting to totally sever our links with Labour, we demand the right to choose whom we do support. Indeed in many Branches members could find no reason to maintain a link with Labour at all.
Of course, it would be wrong to assume that the RMT is going to jump directly into supporting any other political party at a national level.
The move in Scotland with the SSP is basec on shared experience and the building of trust over a number of years. RESPECT undoubtedly has the right policies for the RMT but it has to earn the respect of RMT members if it is to be an attractive alternative
That will take time - members have to be confident that RESPECT is a serious party, internally democratic and not going to melt away after the next round of elections. But it is clear that all is to play for.
At the same time Labour must worry that our habits may spread. The FBU conference is to discuss a series of resolutions questioning its relationship with Labour, with propos als based on the route the RMT has taken.
Labour claims we are walking into the wilderness. For many of us it seems the other way round. What we are doing is reaffirming the stand that our predecessors took a centu ry ago - breaking with support for (neo-) liberalism and campaigning for socialist politica representation for our union. Who should we vote for in the next election? What can we do about political representation? What should we do about the political fund? Trade union sponsors so far: London Underground Regional Executive RMT London Keaion rou Yorkshire and Humberside Region Nathe Essex FBU City of Plymouth Unison London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority Unisc Wattam Forest Trade Union Counci Convention initiated by the Socialist Alliance Convention of the trade union left
Saturday 7 February 2004 11am to 5pm registration from 10am Friends Meeting House Euston Road, London (nearest e Euston) Speakers include: Bob Crow RMT general secretary Mark Serwotka PCS general secrefary Paul Mackney Natfhe general secretary all personal capacity e contact Convention of the Trade Union Lef nsland Road, London N7 7AS
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Respect launch 6 soclalist resistance February 2004