FBU disaffiliates; CWU leaders duck the issues

Submitted by AWL on 17 June, 2004 - 4:32

The Fire Brigades Union conference has voted approximately five to one in favour of disaffiliating from the Labour Party. A formal card vote is still being counted as I write.

The defeat of the union Executive's alternative proposal, to remain affiliated but open up the possibility of supporting some non-Labour candidates, was ensured by the members' utter frustration with being repeatedly let down by this once popular and reputedly left-wing union leadership.

The decision, unfortunately, reflects frustration and disillusion more than any clear positive alternative direction.

Meanwhile, the CWU at its conference on 13-18 June passed an "emergency" motion from the Executive to say that it will cut funds to Labour if the government does not give a definite and unequivocal commitment that the postal service would remain in public hands. This militant-sounding but indefinite motion was used by the platform both to rule out of order a proposal for the CWU to use its positions within the Labour structures in a vigorous and accountable way, for a fight which can rally other unions, and to defeat a (poorly-worded) motion to allow branches to support non-Labour parties.

The AWL is working within the trade unions and in electoral politics to establish a clear socialist alternative, and to rally the unions for a battles within the Labour structures to break them from Blair-Brownism; to fight for policies like repeal of the anti-union laws, taxing the rich, and public services under public ownership and democratic control; and to rally the forces which can create a workers' government.

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