THE VOTE of the AUEW on taking state funds for union ballots, starting on 22 November will vitally affect the entire trade union movement.
In the last six years thousands of engineers have joined the dole queues. The employers have announced their determination to erode working conditions and living standards.
members interests the AUEW to do battle with the TUC.
and the Notts breakaway organisation, the AUEW executive are openly threatening to split the trade is vital for every mesaber of the union to vote 'no'. Why is the AUEW ting a second ti TUC affairs of member unions!
First wasn't the TUC inal Torced ballot. It was the AUEW - LIC highest policy making literally hundreds of But instead of drawing up plans to defend its executive has chosen In association with the leaders of the EETPU, Socialist Action AUEW members explain why it body of the union. The naThe come cere the executive council by the massive margin of 120 votes to 1 for their handlHO I SSUC ment for MORC ballots. tuc Second the should intervene to subport congress positions on this issue as it is in the interests every But what was wrong with the original ballot?
It is official AUEW policy to oppose the lory laws The executive council went against policy by campaigning for yes acceptance of vote to Ine government cash.
This was nothing other than d wat of bi-massing the rules of the union to resut ther after.
Bet the AUEW ship decided to повсу. Sandy The issued a ballar atic saii. in almost as many words. Do you want tac ment to ave the umon i recommends vOLC not explain that the policy, ing cash fo ballots.
through was the quickest in the union's history.
So chance for countervote from the Because concinua POVErTIED TORS BOT Taking ДОТОВИТ mont! for terference unions, will make it harder to fight for hospitals, jobs oner things for which government money could be used.
Nevertheless the AUEW is pretty hard up?
The best way to improve the union's finances is to get more members. We've ost literally hundreds thousands. organised a real fight to defend standards TOD against government's attacks would start to rebuild Right wing policies have undermined the union. But can we afford to look Bif se in the mouth?
the goverament's Te FATE I I DIE Rr..
1 SEE TEa THE CITED ZITI Jopesdest ITAT The ALEN already pose a long way 1o Revision Conference this year solicitor was presented to explain how the rules of the union con flicted with the Tory and how they needed to be changed. they changed accordingly.
Following the Rules Revision the executive councy issued a circular stipulating that ballots mus be organised before any form of industrial action in line with the 1984 Trade Union Act. The issue of cash for ballots is the final one to whole scale acceptance of the Tory laws.
If the exoptance of the izas i is so important. We choose the terrain It's not the most favourable one it's true.
A victory would be a the entire movement.
split with the TUC if th AUEW votes 'yes'?
If there is a split the whole responsibility will be witt leadership of the AUEW. Gavin Laird has made this clear. He an nounced publicly, on that the AUEW, , EETPU are rec. The real add linked up with thi scab miners outfit through Main stream. They're sayiny ing to the TUC 'bact down or we go!' It's not the TUC that's going abead with a brea of a splin. it's the ALEY icadership OK, bat will the TC bad down?
The best way to preven any threat of a split at all i to defeat the AUEW leadership A massive campaign s needed • for a vote
Socialist Action 15 November 1985