Labour steels itself for annual battle with unions

[POSTMAN]

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Along with the burgeoning of spring flowers, this time of year often brings a little reawakening of friction between the unions and Labour.

The teachers’ union conferences over Easter usually talk tough, there are often public sector pay talks to wrangle over (this year with regard to local government) and unions begin looking towards their annual conferences in May and June, which invariably debate calls for disaffiliation because of policy grievances.

The calls can be a powerful shot across the bows of Labour but generally union leaderships — who in the main think that losing the link is unwise — prevail, and the calls are voted down. Many unions have reduced their funding to Labour to assuage dissatisfaction in their ranks, though, and that may happen again this year.

This year there is the added flashpoint of the Government’s attempts to sell off part of Royal Mail. Expect the postal unions to step up their campaign after the parliamentary recess, but don’t hold your breath on the Communication Workers Union carrying out its pledge to sever election funds if the Government tries to sell part of Royal Mail. Not while the fight is still to be won in Parliament anyway.

Next month there will be a national demonstration in Birmingham against what Unite, the biggest union, regards as the Government’s inadequate help for the car industry. Even more embarrassing for ministers is the fact that Lord Jones of Birmingham, the former Trade Minister and former CBI Director-General, is joining the protest.

This year’s spring and early summer sparring may be quieter than in previous years, simply because there has to be a general election next year. Union leaders usually take an unacknowledged vow of silence in terms of criticising Labour in the run-up to an election.

Labour is desperate to keep the unions onside, not least for their cash support and for their powerful network of regional offices which are largely put at the party’s disposal. In the run-up to the previous election unions won some concessions from Labour in return for promised enthusiastic election support. This, the Warwick agreement, was consolidated again last year. It is unlikely, though, that there will be much of a third bite of the cherry before the next general election.

The state of relations between the two sides and the unions’ confidence in Labour will be better viewed in the autumn conferences. Last year, at a very downbeat TUC, many union leaders were privately steeling themselves for the Tories forming the next government.

[Big Daz]

Many unions have reduced their funding to Labour to assuage dissatisfaction in their ranks, though, and that may happen again this year.

Numpties, pure and and simple as that.

Whats the point of reducing funding?

Its still blind support and funding for a Labour party where there is no sign that those at the top may get replaced with people far more in tune with the trade unions and the people of the the UK.

Too bloddy scared of the conservatives is their problem so we have to put up with a half rate Labour Government/party.

Without continued blind support we just might see some changes inside Labour that push it back in the direction of it's whole purpose of existence.

What have we got since 1994 knats piss instead of strong ale!!!!!

[BELIAL]

Looks like the French posties might have a leadership with fire in their bellies . Their Billy heads up a lefty national party , oh and they kidnapped their Crozier from this years pay discussion