Registered with the Posr Office as a newspaper. Published by Reigocrest Lid for Red Weekly, 97 Caledonian Roed, London N.7. (01-837 6954) ference from discussing the new TUC from supporting activities contrary to TUC policy. The reason-it's against Rule 14 to oppose Rule 14! Catch 22 with a vengeance.
than simply Rule 14. Bethnal Green. and Stepney Trades Council had subconference calling for complete rejection of the Healey deal. But they reckoned without the antics of left' Terry Parry, the TUC General Council member chairing the conference.
cowe not pe discussee because it was quick to point out this only applied to congress policy or decisions of a special conference of executive committees.
Too bad, said Parry: "If this conThey had already banned the ConRule 14, which prevents trades councils The clash, however, went deeper be to its detriment."
Parry ruled that this resolution too against TUC policy. But delegates were motions which conflicted with declared ference decides it is going to put this motion before it, 1am wrapping this up. So much for democracy. But then anything goes now in the bureaucrats fight to smash resistance to the pay deal.
Even so, the 350 delegates overwhelmingy carca a waterca down motion calling on the TUC to re-examine its commitments to the social contract' in the light of rising unemployment. Luton delegate George Slessor pointed out that the conference was the most representative rank-and-file gathering in the country: If the TUC doesn't recognise what we are saying about the present policy, it will But it will be to the detriment of the workers movement as a whole unless a challenge is organised to the hold of the right-wing leaders. Rule 14 can be used to prevent trades councils from supporung any group or workers taking action for a claim above the 4¼ per cent 'norm'. In other words, it is clause one in the TUC's charter for wage cuts.
The campaign launched by the Camden Trades Council Defence Committee against Rule 14 must now be broadened out. The loboy of the ud on 6 September will be the main focus Militants in every union must fight to get their delegation to the TUC comWhat is at stake is nothing less than the right to organise independently of the bureaucrats' say-so. Without that, the fight against Labour's right-wing policies will be even longer and harder than it is already The Camden Defence Committee has called a meeting for all London trade unionists on 10 July in Caxton Hall. Further details of the campaign, ana copies of a permion to be circulated against Rule 14, can be obtained from. Defence Committee, c/o 164b Haver stock Hill, London N.W.3
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Last weekend's annual conference of trades councils in Swansea showed the determination of the TUC bureaucrats to ram through the pay deal no matter what the cost in workers democracy.