The victory of Tony Woodley as general
secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers’ Union, Britain’s third
biggest union, is a further confirmation of the continuing swing to the left in
the British trade unions. It is also a clear indication of the discontent within
the union rank and file with right wing trade union leaders and the policies of
the Blair government.
This weekend the AMICUS conferences (of the MSF and AEEU, the two unions that have merged to form
Amicus) start in Blackpool. This
document analyses the present situation in the union and also looks at its
history and how the left managed to win the position of General Secretary of the
AEEU – a good insight into the state of the British trade unions as
they steadily shift to the left. It also looks at the tasks ahead for the left
in the union.
Mick Brooks answers some of the myths and distortions about asylum seekers
and "illegal immigrants" by simply stating what the facts are.
Mick Brooks looks at the question of the movement of labour (emigration and
immigration) and how the bosses have always managed to have a flexible approach
on this question depending on the needs of their system at any given moment. In
the end whether they are campaigning for it or against it, it is always used to
enhance their profits as they attempt to divide the workers on this issue.