S tional print SPENCER, issues.
The first official approach by SOGAT '82, to take INTO membership EETPU members of the Press branch, came in December 1982.
EETPU general secretary said that his transfer these members to any other print union. He denied any discussions with the National Graphical Association on the question of transfer This conflic between SOGAT '82 and the EETPU came before the TUC disputes committee on 23 August.
Prior to this, there had been an informal meeting between the genera secretaries of the •LWO unions, chaired by TUC general secretary, Len Murray.
A press statement was issued by Murray say lll. that he had been assured SOGAT '82 that any EETPU members taken into SOGAT '82 would be excluded immediately and that they did not recognise any body called the LATER THIS month, the TUC could expel the naSOGAT '82. DEREK a branch committee member of the London Press branch of the EETPU explains the Electronic Press branch of SOGAT '82 However the disputes SOGAiT 82 had acted in found that breach disputes principles and pro cedures should forthwith exclude EETPU members, who had been taken into SOGAT '82 They reported that it was in the best interests of the members concerned to rejoin the EETPU.
Sean emerer to the a leading member London Press branch argues that there is sufficient reason to seek entry into another union with a more democratic structure continuous opposition to branch policy by Chapple and the executive committee of the EETPU: the union, cre che appointthe appointment of officials, the ban on members of the Com munist Party holding office, the power of veto of the EC over conference decisions.
Those of us opposing the transfer argue that this inter-union dispute is divisive and is a breach the TUC Hull Bridlingtor agreements against 'poaching' All members of unions have a duty to fight for full democratic rights and ac countability -their leaders. To seek a way out of that struggle by joining another union would leave those active members remaining with an Cycl harder task.
The Broad Left journal for plumbers, Flashlight, firmly COmE FOReC to number of demands - the election of all officials; re jection of private health deals and support for the National Health Service opposition bans: annual conTerence which will have binding powers on the EC Flashlight also supports members in Fleet Street who remain in th If other branches in other unions decide to cut and run, instead of staying fight, flavour because the .of the leaders is not in tune with their own, then the trade union movement would end up as two, opposing camps.
The SOGAT '82 executive committee will make a decision on this in the neat future. If they fail to com ply with the TUC instruc tion by the time the TU( meets at the end of thi month, then action will be taken against them It is almost certain that this would mean expulsion from the TUC. To lose a major union's voice in the TUC at a time when the trade union movement under Tory attack would weaken our ability resist.
Throughout this bitter dispute, the London Press branch of the EETPU has attempted reconciliation of the Fleet Street t electricians and told the EC that we will not allow victimisa. LOIS A dangerous situatio could arise if SOGAT '8: decide to exclude the elec tricians from membership the EETPU. : would threaten the closed shor agreements, on Flee Street.
There is only one solu tion to this problem and that is for all electricians in Fleet Street to unite and continue the struggle within the EETPU.