Only Thrs Against

Last week's vote by the T.U.C. to supmrtthe Government in its "devaluation without wage increases" -policy was a disgrace. Only three people - Bill Jones, Robert Briginshaw and Danny McGarvey - voted against. Frank Cousins and others who have come out against the wage freeze voted - "reluctantly" for a cut in real wages. The same people will denounce, in no uncertain terms, unofficial action by their members. However, if their leaders cease to serve the aim of defending living standards, rank and file members of the unions have to find ways of advancing their interests. It is neccessary for them to form committees to organise the struggle. The Week has always opposed those who have sought to go outside the framework of existing workers! organisations. But in the present situation it is vitally necessary that foci be created to link up struggles and co-ordinate the fight against the Government's wage cutting policies. These committees should be based upon the united front principle, rest on local units of the unions where the left is strong, seek to draw in as many of the left union leaders as possible and be based upon a programme of political and industrial struggle. A prototype of future action is the campaign which is developing in support of the December 12th lobby of Parliament. The next time action of this kind is organised local ad hoc committees must be formed all over the country to mobilise support. This is the best counter to possible demoralisation caused by the failure of the official left trade union leaders to fight Wilson. It is also the best way to reverse the trend and win sections of the left trade union leaders back for struggle.