BY SUE BULL
MELBOURNE — "Building rank-and-file unionism" was the topic of discussion at the first public meeting of the Trade Union Solidarity Committee, which was held on November 19 at Trades Hall. The committee was set up by the Socialist Alliance, but is open to all unionists interested in building and supporting militant unionism in Victoria. Around 40 unionists attended the meeting.
Tom O'Lincoln, a union activist who is a member of the International Socialist Organisation, gave a presentation on the history of the Militant Minority Movement, a rank-and-file union movement set up by the Communist Party of Australia in 1928. Its success in organising unionists shows what an impact a socialist party can have.
The meeting also heard from Steve Roach, currently an organiser for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, who helped set up the Shearers and Rural Workers Union in the 1990s, a breakaway from the heavily bureaucratised Australian Workers Union.
Maureen Murphy spoke about the aims and objectives of the committee, and there were discussions about the possibility of a regular union bulletin being produced by the Socialist Alliance and the potential for industrial sector meetings where appropriate.
In his presentation, O'Lincoln argued that trade union apparatuses inevitably become bureaucracies, because of their isolation from the workers they represent. Therefore, he argued, there is an ongoing need for rank-and-file pressure on union officials.
Roach said that he believed rank-and-file activism had almost expired in some unions, since officials adopt the position that "they are the union". However, he said that he has remained a Labor Party member because he believes that unions have stopped the ALP from becoming rabidly right wing.
The discussion that followed was very lively, perhaps reflecting the varied experience of the participants. Much of it concerned the role of militants within unions and union leaderships. Some Democratic Socialist Party members noted that rank-and -file activism on its own isn't usually enough to rebuild strong unions. Workers First's experience of working within the AMWU was raised as an example of where progressive officials worked with the rank and file to rebuild the union.
International Socialist Organisation member Marcus Banks, a Community and Public Sector Union activist, said that he felt that lack of rank-and-file activity is the mirror image of lack of leadership. Certainly, he had experience of some union officials who had played instrumental roles in making gains for their members.
The meeting provided a real forum for activists to discuss out ideas and differences and participants felt that it was, and future meetings of the committee would be, of benefit.
To get involved in the Trade Union Solidarity Committee, phone Stuart Martin on (03) 9639 8622 or Simon Millar on (03) 9386 5917 or email <samillar@optusnet.com.au>.
From Green Left Weekly, November 27, 2002.
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