Throughout the pensions dispute, it has been rare for activists to get the chance to debate the direction of the dispute and the best tactics to win.
On Saturday 24 March, at AGM of the United Left in the Unite union, over 100 activists had the chance to question Unite leader Len McCluskey.
In his speech McCluskey talked about civil disobedience and a demonstration in defence of the health service, He also talked about the loss of momentum on pensions dispute. He said that if he had been in charge (he became General Secretary in January 2011), there would have been action straight away.
With lots of speakers from the floor, there was an honest discussion on the pensions dispute. We raised the question of the loss of momentum, the political consequences of the pension setbacks, the rank-and-file's right to criticise, and the need for a proper industrial strategy.
McCluskey's answer had 2 main strands. He said we needed unity with other unions; and that we can't dictate to members in the sectors we expect to take action. But unity cannot be an excuse to hold back workers willing to fight on their own.
Some MMP workers spoke about their campaign and the lock-out they face, and how they have taken their fight to Europe. There will be a picket of the Austrian embassy in London on Friday 30 March at 12 noon.
In McCluskey's speech and in the Secretary's report, there was criticism of critical posts on the United Left e-list. Some people agreed with that rebuke; however, many spoke out in defence of debate, saying it was exactly what we need the UL to be doing, and we need much more of it in our movement.
