CONGRESS '85 had none of the atmosphere of Brighton 1984. Last year's congress took place in the midst of the miners' from day one, with young miners and women from the support groups.
The air was electric all week. Everyone who addressed congress knew that they were being measured against the fighting determination the NUM file its leadership.' In contrast, this year there were few occasions when the actually Cante ave. were standing ovations for workers and the teachers fighting for Inel pay claim. But in the main speakers were long The hall was packed, on rhetoric, and there was no sense of the trade union up to organise for struggle.
Ăs Sylvia Burton, chair of Addenbrookes Hospital committee the Labour Herald fringe meeting: class can't turn to the TUC then wiere car they go?
Like numerous other strikers lobbying congress Night R Sient Norwood Junction NUR guards, Barking Hospital workers — they hardly got a mention. But one group of workers who did receive a warm welcome were ine Dunne's who have been on Dublin, strike for 11 months after their refusa] handle South African goods Whilst it was true that the oi the still aged males, was much in evidence it was also clear that the inspiration of the miners' strike is very much hands on tve NUM motion The vote by show of revealed a massive majonty in support.
It was only when the card vote was taken, following the demands of right wing CPSA president Kale Losinska, margin became so narrow.
least delegation, with over half a million NUT delegate (personal capacity)
votes, cast their card vote against the NUM without a delegation meeting.
we did discuss delegates, Socialist Teachers Alliance supporters others, moved backing for the motion. This was defeated because of oppositor from the Broad Alliance, i grouping that includes of the Communist Party dees nave since the NUT does a clear policy calling on the TUC to campaign for amnesty the delegation was obliged the advice general secretary Fred Jar vis to oppose the motion Instead there was an over whelming vote to abstain.
The miners VOLE reflects the impact of the amongst and the radicalisation that going the union in the course of our current pay fight What typified the character of the congress was the fact that the whole question of the AUEW acceptance of governmen money for balloting never debated by delegates. Instead, it was the bureaucrats who stitched up the dea behind the closed doors of the Imperial Hotel.
Blackpool 85 was undoubtedly a ster backwards. the vote on the NUM motion reflects the fact that there remains a fighting determination inside the working class We will have to look elsewhere than the TUC for leadership however.