Short word reports by Thursday publication. Longst stories, Editorial Board by Monday, week before publication. against reveals, this unity of rank file communications workers could be a power. ful force. The executive fears this power and has manoeuvered reverse the conference decision by prioritising amalgamawith the CNA, the But this year's annual conference should see man. This wis be chalicia LIUL.
CHIC CLi Resolutions to conference seek to step up the activity assessment in WITHOU THE ANNUAL conference of the Civil and Public Service Association marked up policy gains for the Left.
But these were overshadowed by a major setback in the members' ballot for the national executive committee. The Broad Left representation was cut six, reversing the balance and giving the right a large majority.
But this defeat coupled with growing militancy on jobs and conditions. Industrial action over the Hackney • unemployment spread to Islington Hackney. Liverpool DHSS members are also in conflict with management. Dispute This militancy was reflected in the censure of the outgoing executive for its handling of the Oxford Birmingham DHSS disputes last year.
The conference reaffirmed its fight for a 35 hour week and also reJecica une excculive cont mittee recommendation to endorse the introduction of government training schemes.
The NEC was also instructed, by a large majority, to mount a vigorous campaign against cruise " missiles.
Women But affiliation to CND and the National Abortion were defeated were resolutions on positive action rights. With women making up 70 per cent of the union membership, women delegates were Jusullably angry these defeats.
Such setbacks, with the swing to the right on the 'NEC, highlight the failure of the Broad Left to organise and lignt policies among the CPSA members They have been tied up in the election errort to ge a majority on the NEC with the result that they lost that too.
The Broad Left must now build on the policy gains at conference inside ine branches. The ference overwhelmingly agreed to launch a campaign in the union for a yes vote toI affiliation to the Labour Party. The Broad Left should actively camon TOTAL SO VE • general election anc link this with disputes like the one in Hackney the Peoples March Jobs.
In this way they car build up the confidence of ine union ranks, Chancig the national leadership to act the left losses on the NEC.
• Gains were made last week by the Broad Left in of the National Union o Public Employees The moderate executive member lined up to become president of the union was ousted by Jenni Webber Tower Hamlets, who has been in the forefront of militant campaigns against government cutbacks.
Another Broad Left candidate Frank Fallan won an executive seat for the Scottish area.
Socialist Action 20 May 1983