Hat tip to Milesfor the intriguing possibility that my union the NUJ is going to be teaming up with three others in what could be seen as a similar idea to the alignment of the "Big Four" in the dying days of Blairism. The PCS, RMT, FBU and NUJ are allegedly negotiating to work together and take on New Labour and the TUC .
OK, these are small unions in comparison to the big beasts like UNITE and UNISON. But let's be honest when push come to shove their "awkwardness" melted into sycophancy. So this re-grouping, if it happens, is interesting on several levels.
None of these unions is affiliated to the Labour Party.But two ARE affiliated to the LRC. Mark Serwotka, Matt Wrack and Bob Crow pull no punches in opposing neo-liberalism.And it's hardly a state secret that my General Secretary Jeremy Dear is a long-standing LRC supporter.
So as an NUJ member, I'm delighted if this is the case. My union supports measures like the Trade Union Freedom Bill, is way to the left of New Labour, and I'm proud to be in it. Expect an announcement, apparently, in September........just might coincide with Labour Party Conference apparently
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Only two are LRC affiliates, no?
FBU and RMT
Correct - have changed text. mark Serwotka v supportive of lRC though......
Wouldn't it be best for all four to push for affiliation to Labour and work from within?
The NUJ can't affiliate to Labour really. The way things are, there is little chance of RMT mmebers wanting to get behind Gordon and likewise PCS and FBU. Sad but true. Our only hope of that is VERY long-term. What earthly reason, frankly , would any union have for re-affiliating to lab at moment.
NUJ can't affiliate because it doesn't have a political fund.
Susan your link to my blog doesn't work.
The address is http://www.action-without-theory.blogspot.com .
You may have missed the dashes.
I doubt the NUJ would ever affiliate to Labour - or anyone else - even if we did have a political fund. With our particular union, probably not even a battle worth having. (Though it's a shame we didn't vote to have an actual political fund a few years back)
I thought we did have a vote... and voted no????? Sorry Miles, will correct
Sorry yeah, didn't phrase that too well. We voted, yes, but the vote was (narrowly) against. Unfortunately.
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