London postal workers vote to suspend funds to Labour

[topgeezer]

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=19110

by Yuri Prasad
Postal workers in London have voted by a massive 96 percent to suspend funding to the Labour Party.
The result of the consultative ballot, organised by the London division of the CWU union, was announced to great cheers at a strike rally in central London this afternoon.
Speaking moments after hearing the result, the union’s deputy general secretary Dave Ward, said, “There are some fantastic people in the Labour Party but as a union, we can’t go on like this.
“This Labour government is sticking two fingers up at our members and encouraging Royal Mail management to do their worst.
“If during the Labour Party conference, and over the week that follows, the government does not change we should do more than just withdraw our money—we should say that we want rid of this government.
“That does not mean that I would welcome a Tory victory, lots of us in this room know what a disaster that would be.
“But I do think that we need to look at new political formations—and that our union should play its part in them.”
Whilst the result of the ballot does not have any binding affect on the national union it will add to the growing pressure on the leadership to honour the union’s conference policy of balloting the entire membership on future funding of Labour.

© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.

[Funked!]

[BELIAL]

A necessary move ,but I would have put a different emphasis on it. Think it may be more productive to stress that in these times of constant attacks on our terms and conditions that arise directly from labour party policy and ministerial action ,we are no longer able to provide continued financial support for the labour party as all discretionary spending will obviously need to be diverted into the campaign to defend our terms and the service.
One thing I would spend the money we save on is a dedicated ,trained professional team ,with the sole remit of inspecting and approving each and every local agreement. No approval no agreement, core national standards to apply at all times

[Big Daz]

I wasnt aware that political fund money could be diverted for general expenditure?

General fund money can not be used for political expenditure but does it apply the other way around?

[BELIAL]

Its our union,its our money, we make the rules ,we are free to change our rules I can think of quite a few that could do with some attention

[eroader]

Well done London! Lets make it National.

[pickaname]

Well done London! Lets make it National.

Hell yea!

[Big Daz]

Its our union,its our money, we make the rules ,we are free to change our rules I can think of quite a few that could do with some attention

Still illegal to spend general fund money on political objectives.

[BELIAL]

Its our union,its our money, we make the rules ,we are free to change our rules I can think of quite a few that could do with some attention

Still illegal to spend general fund money on political objectives.

Don't get the point that you are making,all you are doing is repeating the status quo.
These things are not universal constants like the speed of light. It is within our power to create ,destroy or alter any of the rules of our union. If the membership wanted to increase the size of the political fund then they could if they wanted to scrap it altogether and use their money in a different way then they could.
Surely must be a good thing encouraging the membership to take a more active role by letting them exercise their rightful control over the development and direction of their organisation. Seems to me like too many folk are constantly telling people what they can't do and not what may be possible.
Monolithic power blocks within unions just mimicking the structures of big business and creating impenetrable regulations and procedures that serve only to protect the elite and alienate the wider membership will have to be removed or people will find an alternative

[Big Daz]

The point is by law our union and alother with all other unions with political funds can only spend money on political objectives if it comes from a seperate and voluntary political fund.

However what is not clear is does the law apply in reverse to money spent on general objectives being spent on political objectives. I belive that was suggested by you that One thing I would spend the money we save on is a dedicated ,trained professional team ,with the sole remit of inspecting and approving each and every local agreement.

That my friend is general expenditure and I put it to you the law is not clear if political fund money can be used for general expenditure.

Money saved from not paying affilation fees in my view should stay in the PF and continue to be used on political objectives.

Of course PF subs could be lowered and GF subs go up by the same amount.

[BELIAL]

Of course PF subs could be lowered and GF subs go up by the same amount.

[piranha]

Well played but I thought we were promised a national vote on this issue a few months ago? We need to stopp ALL payments not just some of them, a good start though nonetheless, more money to spend on proper union matters

[Big Daz]

Well played but I thought we were promised a national vote on this issue a few months ago? We need to stopp ALL payments not just some of them, a good start though nonetheless, more money to spend on proper union matters

Big Dave has given them 2 weeks to play ball then he will be saying off with their heads, Labour are in the one and only very last chance saloon.

Our generosity can take no more of this crap.

[Big Daz]

Dont forget the political fund is optional

[postiered]

keep the labour party