TRADE UNIONISTS LAUNCH SHOP-FLOOR FIGHTBACK

RMTnews :: july/august 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 24 TRADE UNIONISTS LAUNCH SHOP-FLOOR FIGHTBACK H undreds of shop stewards from across Britain gathered in London in October to found a grass-roots network capable of mobilising trade unionists to fight for workers’ rights. Opening conference, president Tony Donaghey said that RMT had convened the meeting, in line with an AGM decision, to create the broadest possible unity among rank-and- file trade unionists. “The simple fact is that the trade union movement today has fewer freedoms than when the Trades Disputes Act was passed a century ago and that has to change,” he said. The meeting elected ten rank-and-file trade unionists to act as a steering group to organise a shop stewards conference next spring. RMT activist Linda Wiles, Transport for London RMT branch secretary, and Waterloo RMT branch secretary Greg Tucker were both elected to the steering group. RMT Devon bus branch secretary Paul Dyer said that he was proud to move the motion to launch the project, which was unanimously agreed by over two hundred activists packed into Camden Town Hall in London. The network, made up of workplace reps to offer support to unions in campaigns and industrial disputes, would not interfere in the internal affairs and elections of trade unions. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the organisation of workplace reps had always been a crucial barometer of the general health of the trade union movement. “If we are to roll back the tide of privatisation and war, it is an absolute necessity, and rebuilding the grassroots of the movement is an essential part of that process,” he said. T&G deputy general secretary Barry Camfield said it was “absolute hypocrisy” for former general secretaries that had become Labour ministers to lecture trade unionists that they cannot have basic rights that are enshrined in international law. He pointed out that it was a rank-and-file movement that built the campaign to win political fund ballots for trade unions brought in by the Tories. “We need to change the centre of gravity towards shop floor representatives if we are to create the conditions for change,” he said. Trade union rights Institute of Employment Rights director Carolyn Jones said that one of the first tasks of the new organisation would be to build towards a mass lobby of parliament being planned for next year in support of the Trade Union Freedom Bill. Rob Williams, a T&G rep said that the meeting was the start of a grass roots fight back. “We were never handed anything, we had to fight for it and we have to fight for our rights now,” he said. Ian Allinson, an Amicus rep, warned that trade union membership in the private sector had plummeted and it had to be addressed. “Private sector bosses are determined to keep unions out and we must be as just determined to organise that sector,” he said. Dave Chapple, a Communication Workers Union rep, said that many workers were breaking unjust anti-trade union laws every day and were clearly prepared to fight if they are given a lead. “We need a democratic grassroots movement that is not dominated by any single party,” he said. Prison Officers Association general secretary Brian Caton was among a dozen trade union general secretaries that welcomed a new movement that would be built on the traditions of “free, independent and democratic trade unionism”. “My union has already enjoyed the support of other trade unionists in the fight to win back our right to take industrial action, despite threats from the government to put us in prison. “Give us our trade union rights, they are human rights,” he said to applause. RMT News will report on any developments and the union’s website will carry regular updates and monitor progress.