British union leaders sink differences

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34104, 17 March 1976, Page 21

British union leaders sink differences

(By

PAUL ROUTLEDGE,

labour editor of "The Times," through N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, March 16. Britain’s top three union leaders yesterday sank their political differences and issued an unprecedented public appeal for united support for the Prime Minister (Mr Wilson). They did so on the ground that “forces opposing Labour are regrouping, and are now’ clearly preparing for an early General Election.”

Mr Jack Jones, the Transport and General Workers’ Union leader, Mr Hugh Scanlon, of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, and Mr David Basnett, of the General and Municipal Workers’ Union, called for emergency talks with Ministers and Labour Party leaders immediately after the Budget to write what amounts to a new election manifesto.

The union leaders, representing practically half of the nation’s 10 million trade

unionists, clearly fear that political uncertainty could “topple Labour and set back for a lifetime the prospects of socialism and workingclass advance.”

The surprise move was worked out at a secret meeting in London between the three leading members of the Trades Union Congress’s general council yesterday. Although the authorship of the statement issued later is not being disclosed, it is believed to be chiefly the work of Mr Jones, the Government’s most ardent supporter, who told me last night: “The degree of disunity demonstrated last week is an indication that something must be done to pull things together.” He left no doubt that he was referring to the Commons revolt by Leftwing members of the Tribune Group. It was, he insisted, an independent initiative, and the Government had not been consulted; the union leaders had acted as the three chief officers of the principal unions affiliated to the Labour Party. The long joint statement [freely disclosed the union’s 'anxieties and charted the

path towards a rewriting of the 1974 election manifesto “in the light of the exceptional economic difficulties of the present period.” It said that the forces opposing Labour were capitalising on recent party divisions and the dire economic position facing the country. That is plainly a referenceto the Left-wing revolt in the Commons over public expenditure curbs, and Mrs Margaret Thatcher’s efforts for rapprochement with f e unions.

“Every measure will be taken, every stroke will be pulled, to secure popular support to defeat Labour by appealing to the lowest common denominator of opinion,” the statement said. “Trade unionists want to ensure that the gains secured for workers by the present Government will not be eroded.

“Of course, there are genuine differences of view as to how the crisis should be handled, but personal spleen does not help in resolving these differences. It certainly is not our purpose to apportion blame in fhis situation. The real question is: On

what basis can unity be ensured to maintain the continuance of a Labour Government?” Difficulties over unemployment, prices, pensions, education, housing, public transport, and "many other issues of social justice and social advance” could best be handled by Labour. If the Government fell it would be "a slap in the face for people who want to see' Britain beat the economic i crisis.” The unions’ differences on methods of reducing unemployment had been reflected in antipathy which had damaged the whole movement. “Is it too late to try to change the atmosphere?” the statement asked. The impending Budget put great responsibility on the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Denis Healey), but the T.U.C. could not complain of lack of opportunities to present its views. As soon as possible after the Budget, the T.U.C.’s Labour liaison committee should meet urgently to work out proposals for maximum unity, based on man'festo policies but facing their implementation in the light of economic

difficulties — in other words, establishing a clear order of priorities. That should be followed by a meeting between the T.U.C.’s general council, the party executive, and all the members of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

“Within the trade union movement this approach could be linked to a special T.U.C. congress, or conference of executives, held to discuss future policy. Unity must be preserved. “We are in danger of reaching the crossroads. With determination we believe that differences can be overcome and agreement reached on essentials. Our firm hope is that a platform will be established on which the whole movement can arouse the necessary support, leading to a firm Labour victory at the next general election, whenever it comes, and the strengthening of the trade union movement.” The statement ended: “The alarm signals have sounded. Shall we respond to them, or walk away, while the prospects of socialism and working-class advance are set back for a life-time?’’