The NSSN & the Cuts
Let 1000 flowers bloom | 11.01.2011 14:28 | Public sector cuts
The authoritarian left are arguing over whether the Shop Stewards Network should set up another anti cuts campaign.
An open letter in a personal capacity from RMT General Secretary Bob Crow to the National Shop Stewards Network and Socialist Party
Dear Brothers and Sisters
I am writing to urge maximum unity in the struggle against the Coalition government’s austerity programme. Such is the scale of the onslaught against our class that no one should be in any doubt of the need for such unity. There can be no question of any political party or organisation seeking to assume leadership of this struggle or setting up new national organisations that would create disunity. Instead all our efforts should be devoted to mobilising all progressive forces and building the biggest and broadest possible movement against the cuts. I would urge all comrades to take a step back and consider how we can best act in a way which helps achieve these aims.
Yours in unity
Bob Crow
RMT General Secretary
Dear Bob,
We welcome your letter as it gives us a chance to discuss the strategy and tactics for the anti-cuts movement with you, which has not been possible up until now. Such an exchange, even if there are differences, can help to clarify these vital issues. We make some initial comments on your letter below, but are looking forward to the meeting that has been arranged between us to further develop the discussion.
What was agreed at the December meeting of the NSSN steering committee to go to the NSSN anti-cuts conference on January 22nd? The proposal is quite simple: to establish an NSSN Anti-Cuts Campaign, with the explanatory sub-heading, ‘unions and communities together to fight all cuts in jobs and services’, and, if that proposal is agreed by NSSN supporters (ie workplace reps) at the conference, to elect a committee (of six trade unionists, four representatives of community campaigns plus the NSSN chair and secretary) to run the campaign.
The myth has been put around that this means ‘changing the character’ of the NSSN, even its ‘dissolution’, but when the proposal is looked at soberly this is clearly not the case. Whatever the outcome of the conference concerning the proposal to set up an anti-cuts campaign, the NSSN will continue to exist with its current constitution, remit, and independent activity. But the proposal to establish an anti-cuts campaign would enable unity to be built between trade unionists and community campaigners in a way the NSSN cannot currently do. Our hope is that this campaign will bring a new element to the anti-cuts movement in being clearly committed to opposing all cuts to jobs and services including, as the steering committee proposal states, “relentless lobbying of councils and other bodies to persuade them not to vote for cuts”.
The Socialist Party has consistently argued for co-operation between the different anti-cuts organisations and we welcome your call for unity, which we share. As with us, we are sure you have a principled approach to this crucial struggle to defend the working class against the government’s onslaught.
Not everyone involved in the anti-cuts movement, however, has the same approach that the Socialist Party and the RMT do. The RMT leadership would rightly oppose calls for ‘limited’ cuts in rail jobs and services. On the general issue of cuts this principled approach is unfortunately not that adopted by the leadership of the TUC. You rightly criticise them and as a result are sometimes accused of being too intransigent.
We are facing criticism for the same reason. Regrettably, many in the leadership of other anti-cuts campaigns, such as the Coalition of Resistance (CoR), do not oppose all cuts in jobs and services. While this is their formal position it was clear at their conference that many in the CoR believed that Labour and Green councillors have no choice but to ‘reluctantly’ carry out massive cuts in workers’ jobs and vital public services. It is not a coincidence that neither Tony Mulhearn, leader of the struggle of Liverpool city council in the 1980s, nor Ted Knight, leader of Lambeth council, were invited to speak – yet Green councillors who had voted for cuts were. Ted Knight attended the conference and was only allowed to speak from the floor of a workshop.
You state that “there can be no question of any political party or organisation seeking to assume leadership of this struggle or setting up new national organisations that would create disunity”. We agree that no organisation can automatically assume leadership – organisations and programmes will be tested out in the struggle, as is the case in the trade union movement. However, this is unfortunately not the approach of CoR and Right to Work who have attempted to present
themselves as the leadership of the struggle. From our point of view, if a national anti-cuts organisation existed that was determined to fight against all cuts to the end and had a democratic structure which allowed full participation we would happily support it.
This, however, is not the case. At the CoR founding conference, for example, there were 21 platform speakers in the plenary sessions with no opportunity for discussion from the floor. The workshops were also dominated with platform speakers, with over 60 of them speaking in the course of the day. Contrast this with the democracy of the RMT conference or of the NSSN conference which, in the four years of its existence, has always allowed the majority of the time for discussion from the floor.
We agree that one national anti-cuts organisation is desirable if possible, but not if it is dominated by a self-appointed leadership. The NSSN – which the RMT initiated – is not top-down but has a proud record of democratic discussion which we will strive to continue at the anti-cuts conference on 22nd January. Whatever the outcome of the conference the Socialist Party remains fully committed to the NSSN and will continue to work to develop it.
We are very willing to discuss the best way forward, and even to seek an accommodation on the basis of a clear programme and organisational perspective for fighting the cuts. However, the political leadership of the anti-cuts struggle can not be ceded to people who are acting as a left cover for Labour and others that want to carry out cuts at local level, something that you have always opposed. We believe it is essential that a national anti-cuts body exists which is based on a clear working-class programme, including opposition to all cuts and services. We are very happy to discuss with you how this can best be created.
The Socialist Party executive committee
Dear Brothers and Sisters
I am writing to urge maximum unity in the struggle against the Coalition government’s austerity programme. Such is the scale of the onslaught against our class that no one should be in any doubt of the need for such unity. There can be no question of any political party or organisation seeking to assume leadership of this struggle or setting up new national organisations that would create disunity. Instead all our efforts should be devoted to mobilising all progressive forces and building the biggest and broadest possible movement against the cuts. I would urge all comrades to take a step back and consider how we can best act in a way which helps achieve these aims.
Yours in unity
Bob Crow
RMT General Secretary
Dear Bob,
We welcome your letter as it gives us a chance to discuss the strategy and tactics for the anti-cuts movement with you, which has not been possible up until now. Such an exchange, even if there are differences, can help to clarify these vital issues. We make some initial comments on your letter below, but are looking forward to the meeting that has been arranged between us to further develop the discussion.
What was agreed at the December meeting of the NSSN steering committee to go to the NSSN anti-cuts conference on January 22nd? The proposal is quite simple: to establish an NSSN Anti-Cuts Campaign, with the explanatory sub-heading, ‘unions and communities together to fight all cuts in jobs and services’, and, if that proposal is agreed by NSSN supporters (ie workplace reps) at the conference, to elect a committee (of six trade unionists, four representatives of community campaigns plus the NSSN chair and secretary) to run the campaign.
The myth has been put around that this means ‘changing the character’ of the NSSN, even its ‘dissolution’, but when the proposal is looked at soberly this is clearly not the case. Whatever the outcome of the conference concerning the proposal to set up an anti-cuts campaign, the NSSN will continue to exist with its current constitution, remit, and independent activity. But the proposal to establish an anti-cuts campaign would enable unity to be built between trade unionists and community campaigners in a way the NSSN cannot currently do. Our hope is that this campaign will bring a new element to the anti-cuts movement in being clearly committed to opposing all cuts to jobs and services including, as the steering committee proposal states, “relentless lobbying of councils and other bodies to persuade them not to vote for cuts”.
The Socialist Party has consistently argued for co-operation between the different anti-cuts organisations and we welcome your call for unity, which we share. As with us, we are sure you have a principled approach to this crucial struggle to defend the working class against the government’s onslaught.
Not everyone involved in the anti-cuts movement, however, has the same approach that the Socialist Party and the RMT do. The RMT leadership would rightly oppose calls for ‘limited’ cuts in rail jobs and services. On the general issue of cuts this principled approach is unfortunately not that adopted by the leadership of the TUC. You rightly criticise them and as a result are sometimes accused of being too intransigent.
We are facing criticism for the same reason. Regrettably, many in the leadership of other anti-cuts campaigns, such as the Coalition of Resistance (CoR), do not oppose all cuts in jobs and services. While this is their formal position it was clear at their conference that many in the CoR believed that Labour and Green councillors have no choice but to ‘reluctantly’ carry out massive cuts in workers’ jobs and vital public services. It is not a coincidence that neither Tony Mulhearn, leader of the struggle of Liverpool city council in the 1980s, nor Ted Knight, leader of Lambeth council, were invited to speak – yet Green councillors who had voted for cuts were. Ted Knight attended the conference and was only allowed to speak from the floor of a workshop.
You state that “there can be no question of any political party or organisation seeking to assume leadership of this struggle or setting up new national organisations that would create disunity”. We agree that no organisation can automatically assume leadership – organisations and programmes will be tested out in the struggle, as is the case in the trade union movement. However, this is unfortunately not the approach of CoR and Right to Work who have attempted to present
themselves as the leadership of the struggle. From our point of view, if a national anti-cuts organisation existed that was determined to fight against all cuts to the end and had a democratic structure which allowed full participation we would happily support it.
This, however, is not the case. At the CoR founding conference, for example, there were 21 platform speakers in the plenary sessions with no opportunity for discussion from the floor. The workshops were also dominated with platform speakers, with over 60 of them speaking in the course of the day. Contrast this with the democracy of the RMT conference or of the NSSN conference which, in the four years of its existence, has always allowed the majority of the time for discussion from the floor.
We agree that one national anti-cuts organisation is desirable if possible, but not if it is dominated by a self-appointed leadership. The NSSN – which the RMT initiated – is not top-down but has a proud record of democratic discussion which we will strive to continue at the anti-cuts conference on 22nd January. Whatever the outcome of the conference the Socialist Party remains fully committed to the NSSN and will continue to work to develop it.
We are very willing to discuss the best way forward, and even to seek an accommodation on the basis of a clear programme and organisational perspective for fighting the cuts. However, the political leadership of the anti-cuts struggle can not be ceded to people who are acting as a left cover for Labour and others that want to carry out cuts at local level, something that you have always opposed. We believe it is essential that a national anti-cuts body exists which is based on a clear working-class programme, including opposition to all cuts and services. We are very happy to discuss with you how this can best be created.
The Socialist Party executive committee
Let 1000 flowers bloom
Comments
Hide the following 2 comments
A bit of background history
12.01.2011 09:02
recentley, The Socialist Party has wrangled its way into a position of strength within the NSSN - a very good and radical grassroots union initiative. They have been trying to set up this anti cuts campaign as a Socialist Party front, using the NSSN as a vehicle for creating that front to give the appearance of wider support. Many, including quite notable figures in the NSSN are dead set against such a move for the reasons quite rightly outlined by Bob Crow in the original post.
In a funny twist, just as the SWP seem to be making moves to abandon elements of their sectarian past (even working closely with 'counterfire' (the people behind 'coalition of resistance) - a group that acrimoniously split from the SWP a couple of years back), the Socialist Party seem to be trying to muscle in on, and rise to power in many anti-cuts organisations, including an anti-cuts group local to me.
It is important to remember that setting up a new anti-cuts group is deeply unpopular with many in the NSSN, and is being pushed by a large Socialist Party Clique within the organisation.
(A) Sab x
Crow Convinced by the SP
12.01.2011 22:05
A successful meeting was held which illuminated our agreement on a number of issues, including the vital importance of striving to convince the whole trade union movement to mobilise in a broad, united campaign against austerity cuts around the slogan of ‘No to all cuts in jobs and services’. Bob Crow and Alex Gordon agree with the proposal of the NSSN steering committee of 4 December 2010 to launch an anti-cuts campaign around that slogan. We also agree with the recent proposal made by Matt Wrack (FBU, General Secretary) that fighting trade unions can and should take a leading role in this debate by initiating a broad based anti-cuts conference and inviting the various campaigns and organisations to participate in building a genuine and democratic campaign which could establish itself as an important focus of leadership in the coming period.
A number of misunderstandings were clarified. Linda Taaffe and Bill Mullins explained that the steering committee was not proposing to change the constitution of the NSSN in any way, but was only arguing for an additional campaigning anti-cuts committee to be founded in order that the NSSN can play a full part alongside community organisations and political parties in building a united movement against austerity cuts. They also explained that the steering committee was not proposing that the NSSN, nor the anti-cuts campaign (were it to be set up by the conference on 22nd January), would stand candidates in elections.
The meeting agreed to urge all opponents of the cuts to attend the anti-cuts conference on 22nd January in order to take part in the discussion on what the NSSN steering committee is actually proposing.
Wednesday 12 January 2011
Let 1000 Flowers Bloom