'WE SHOULD be saying we'll give you what you need, transport union general secretary Ron Todd talking about black workers in South Africa. Unfortunately black workers here in organisation they are flatly refused institutional recognition by white trade union and Labour Party bosses.
Racism paternalism are alive and kicking the labour moveNowhere was this -cull.
nore widely apparent tha it the TGWL rules revision conterence ADe -deen last month (June).
of almost delegates representing 1.5 just two were • black. naCK workers make up 20 per cent membership, most of them concentrated in the lowest-paid jobs.
Though the TGWU have appointed a black deputy general seretary, there is no room for complacency. The new number two, Morris, discovered when his bid to get TUC council failed, that if you are black you can't build a mass base among, an all-white union executive.
That base should be among the most disadvantaged and least represented of the membersccuiull ship: black workers. And what we think is best for you, said he should fight for mechanism within the structure of which gives black people volte That means suppor ting black caucuses.
Black Section, TGWU Organiser Women in the TGWU have advisory committees and a full-time national officer. Black members have neither.
Commenting on Bill Morris's rebuff, one of the black delegates said: "the system does work. The arrogance TGWU officials screwing up the ca ick ot Labour Party Black Section and saying don't support that without even giving text read, was soul destroving for ou supporters.
One delegate summed up the wall of resistance when he gave his view of black sections that 'Ron Todd speaks for me. Needless to say, Toda implacably opposed us.
Looking at things from a postive view, Black Sec tion fringe meting in Aberdeen was a great success in that it showed that Black Section movement had the organisational ability and practical sup ort to hold a successtu ringe meeting hundreds of miles. awa trom main areas of support at a Your voice inshe habour Party hostile union successfully leafleted all 200 delegates on at least trees spate o cisio ns spoke with Bill Morris and Ron Todd at length, and their response will help shape our TGWL strategy in the future We also made valuable contacts for future action.
Our next step is organising and campaign ing for next year's TGWU biennial delegate conference (BDG). Supporters being encouraged to pas. IcsorulIons through their branches to ensure that severa resolutions supporting Black Sections will be on the agenda.
We that such поре resolutions will be thoroughly debated - U1 the floor of that conference and at a rank and file level. •Fighting Racism' speaker Frank Osie-Tutu Executive council chair Bob Birmingham WDO 'Womens Rights' speakers Jane Lottus Liverpool C&CS Cheryl Pugh Chesterfield PHQ chair Billy Hayes Liverpool Amal 'Organising For Change' speaker Stephen Bell Cardiff Uniform chair Alison Emery Coventy Tels All speakers in a personal capacity Small Lecture Theatre 2 Polytechnic of Central London 35 Marylebone Rd Baker Street Tube Station
ACTiON SociAlist
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BLACK SECTIONS
An open disussion Saturday 5 July, 11am - 5pm