Guest: Martin Gould - Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions
1.2 Apologies for absence: none received
1.3 The meeting opened at 7.50 pm and was chaired by Ian Pope.
2.1 Martin Gould addressed the meeting and started by recalling his experience as a former delegate to the Southend Trades Council. He is currently an official of the MSF and President of SERTUC.
2.2 Martin explained the history of the Liaison Committee, which was originally formed in 1965. At this time Trade Union membership was at its peak following the post War boom and Shop Stewards were at their most powerful. The establishment became alarmed at the power of the Shop Stewards and Unions, and sought to restrict the their activities following the Donovan Report in the late 1950s. In response to this the Liaison Committee was set up from a network of Shop Stewards which covered all industrial sectors.
The work of the Liaison Committee involved the calling of mass meetings of its affiliates as well as convening mass conferences and campaigns. Its aim is to move the official Labour Movement into action by agitation of rank and file members.
In the 1960s, Liaison was at the forefront of the campaign against the "In Place of Strife" legislation and, later, against the Heath Government's Industrial Relations Act. Under the Tory Government of the 1980s and 1990s nine pieces of legislation were introduced to undermine the Trade Union Movement. The result was that the Official Movement did not make a stand and deliver the support to Unions in dispute, especially to the Miners Strike in 1984 &1985. The Tories' gradual approach in bringing in legislation allied to the devastating effect of mass unemployment and that the traditional industries have gone, has lead to a weakening of the Trade Unions and the disappearance of the networks of Shop Stewards.
Today, the Liaison Committee is calling publicly for the repeal of all anti-Trade Union legislation and for positive rights and the restoration of indemnities. They believe that Trade Unions should have the same rights as employers! There is great concern at the lack of priority given to these matters by the new Labour Government. The proposal of ballot for Union recognition requiring 50% support should be replaced the agreement of a significant proportion of those in the workplace. Polls conducted by the TUC show that attitudes towards Trade Unions have changed and there is now a great deal of public support.
The Liaison Committee continues to organise and deliver solidarity to workers struggle.
2.3 The Chair thanked Martin for attending and addressing the meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
3.1 Ian Pope gave a brief report on the County Association meeting on 7th June. It has been some years since a delegate from Southend last attended a meeting. Their next will be held on 6th September.
3.2 Ann Joss asked if it would be possible to obtain from SERTUC guidance on a campaign to recruit young people into Unions and perhaps visit local schools and colleges.
3.3 The meeting closed at 8.20 pm.
