Tories anti-union legislation.
The train drivers union, ASLEF, ,has called for 'total opposition to the proposea legislation', while the Civil and Public • Services. Association calls for: 'reasoned discussion' with the government.
AUEW-TASS calls for no talks with the government, but an amendment the shop workers USDA W asks the TUC to Colvey their reasoned opposition' Tebbit's proposals and to persuade the government to table no further legislation. THIS SEPTEMBER'S TUC Conference will see a determined effort by the right wing, led by Len Murray, to whip the trade unions into line behind Thatcher. At the centre of the battle will be the question of talks with Norman 'boot-boy' Tebbit on the the ground.
Last week he emerged from talks with Tebbit on the ilalllle Scheme allowance, and on pavment or wages by chetalks had arin construc- declaring that tive quite fruitful .
Since Tebbit did not change the allowance, and payment by cheque reenaules a lory objective. the "fruitfullness' of the discussions is ditticult to see.
This week he went even further. In an interview Guardian unemployed in the next Icw ycals Noticeably absent platfom of the Liic right has been the matter the political levy. The ruling class has made clear its intentions to break the Labour Party and replace it with the Alliance as the main opposition to the Tories.
The trade union right wing is more concerned to negotiate with all comers ana to prepare the ground for future deals with the Alliance than to fight the Tory attacks.
The stakes in the battle which w1l this TUC are very high indeed for the working class. OpLen Murray — leading TUC even further right talks with Tebbit, made it clear that there would be a further round union legislation when the posing the attacks they can get a deal which will preserve the privileges TORY MANIA for job cuts and privatisation is to be extended to London Transport. Latest government proposals plan to take away the service from the GLC and give it to a government appointed committee whose job would be to run the buses and underground as much like a business as possible.
The new setup • called London Region Transport will be split into subsidiaries and subsidiaries of subsidiaries. These will have to compete with private tenders if they are profitable and, where possibie, solu onl It will be made easier for private firms to run their own buses on profitable routes. Safety standards inevitably decline with job cuts, and pensiouels • wil no longel have the right to free or cheap travel.
response these proposals has so far been weak. It seems that even when the will is there.
caue sulu lave forgotten how to mobilise thet own members But the basis exists for a popular political paign to rescue London Transport, mvlvlng travelling public, the GLC and the transport unions Most Londoners Wall to keep the GLC, OONINsOl, kec accountable jobs. The unions will be decisive in either making use of those sentiments or letting London Transport go down a very slipper At the moment the sloDe. prospects are not good.