Respect initiated trade union conference in November

[dennisr]

Better and better..

http://www.respectcoalition.org/?ite=1106

Theres a funny wee bit at the end of the list you linked too, saying - "Those highlighted in italics have passed support for the conference through their branch."

When you look back at the list there seems to be, therefore, hardly any actual branches who have even passed a resolution of support let alone mobilised?

 

[poster342002]

Before pratting around with hollow initiatives like this, wouldn't it be better to actually build up an active grassroots rank-and-file mass membership within the unions first? Otherwise all you'll end up with is a spurious, top-down initiative of no actuall significance - but maybe supported by a handfull of elected-unopposed activists who've got the delusion into their heads that "elected-unopposed" means "elected by 100% of the membership". Which it doesn't.

 

[belboid]

but how do you do that? conferences such as this could and indeed should have a role in building up such a movement - tho I doubt this one will.

 

[poster342002]

but how do you do that? conferences such as this could and indeed should have a role in building up such a movement - tho I doubt this one will.

How do you do that? Good question! Answers on a postcard, please...

Seriously, I'm not sure it's even possible anymore - I've gone on at length before about the total dearth of workplace conciousness I've seen everywhere I've worked. I think it's too late now - the horse has bolted and the ship has not only left the harbour, but sunk without trace long ago.

 

[Udo Erasmus]

Given that the conference is not taking place until 5 months away, the support of trade union leaders like Paul Mackney, Matt Wrack, Bob Crow, Mark Serwotka is impressive, as is the amount of people already signed up. Dennisr will be glad to hear that in coming months, probably many more trade union branches will be supporting this initiative

 

[belboid]

give us twenty minutes and i could probably provide you a list of which those branches would be as well

 

[poster342002]

Given that the conference is not taking place until 5 months away, the support of trade union leaders like Paul Mackney, Matt Wrack, Bob Crow, Mark Serwotka is impressive, as is the amount of people already signed up. Dennisr will be glad to hear that in coming months, probably many more trade union branches will be supporting this initiative

Yes, but how much support among the membership is there behind this? Or will this support comprise of a handfull of "elected unopposed" activists from poorly-attended union branches deluding themselves that they're at the spearhead of a glorious mass movement?

 

[mutley]

As has been said, a whole load more union branches will undoubtedly support it by November. If Belboid thinks that he can predict them, then fine go ahead and we'll see if you can come up with a list of 'the usual suspects' in terms of trade union branches. (otherwise: 'Oi.. Belboid.. shut it!')

The conference will be part, just part, of a process which has to involve building up support for a political alternative in union branches and building up confidence in the workplaces - neither will be possible or effective for long without the other.

For what its worth, when I look at TU struggle now the combination of hopeful and depressing features is so close that I'm refusing to come down on either on a 'pessimist' or 'optimist' note. ASDA get forced to concede some kind of recognition - great. My local (huge) branch doesn't seem to have any effective organisation and none of the workers know if there's a rep.. not great. March 28th shuts vast areas of the UK - great. But the union leaders try to chuck it away.. not great. But then the conference come within a whisker of restarting the strikes, and the leadership have to talk about doing so next year... I could go on..

We need both the political alternative, and to rebuild at the bottom, both together.

ps the acronym for this conference OFUC, would of course be said as 'Oh Fuck...' I'm saying nothing.

 

[poster342002]

March 28th shuts vast areas of the UK

Can't say I noticed a darn thing on that day, and nor did anyone else I know.

 

[mutley]

Can't say I noticed a darn thing on that day, and nor did anyone else I know.

I'm thinking of the effect on transport in tyneside, merseyside and a number of other areas where the councils still run local buses etc. Look - quibble if you like but that was a very effective strike, prob the most effective since the 80's. Which is why even the possibility of it all being pissed away is so gutting. Hopefully it won't be...