Unions and Labour Party

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33857, 31 May 1975, Page 14

Unions and Labour Party

Sir, — 1 understand that if one is a member of a union, affiliated to the Federation of Labour, that a percentage of one’s fees is channelled through the F.O.L. to the Labour Party, but that should one object, this sum can be diverted to a charity of one’s choice.. Could you please ascertain I ( for me the answer to the ■ following que ; ons: What proportion of union dues is!

|so diverted to the Labour. Party? How does one ensure! | that this sum is paid to a! charity? Finally, is there any! I way of learning the total ! amount fed, by the above! practice, into the coffers of! (the Labour Party each year? ! — Yours, etc., ROSA . April 21, 1975. [Mr F. E. rftcNulty, secretary of the" Canterbury; : Trades Council. replies: | I “There is no portion of a -union member’s fees chan- ! nelled through the Federation [of Labour to the Labour I Party. Only if a union is affiliated to the Labour Party iis an affiliation fee paid to I the party. Unions are affiliated to the Labour Party by : the decisions of their members. Such members can obtain information on that! amount paid from their union. Such information is contained! in union financial statements ‘that must be audited, and; copies sent to the Registrar of Industrial Unions. It appears that your correspondent is confused with the pay-i ■ ment of union fees and affili-j ation fees to the Labour! Party,’ which are not the same.”]