Letter: Trade Unions (1976)

Letter to the Editors from the September 1976 issue of the Socialist Standard

Trade Unions

Articles appear in the Socialist Standard which decry the work of the trade union movement and, whilst accepting certain of these criticisms, I feel that you dismiss their activity too glibly.

If working-class emancipation from capitalism is to be achieved, then the working-class movement must, as you say, become conscious of its socialist aim. However, this consciousness does not spontaneously arise of itself, it requires the scientific working out of socialist theory, the introduction of the theory into the working-class movement and the fight for it inside that movement. Few trade unionists have had any contact with the SPGB. Surely if more propaganda could be aimed at them, other groups, such as IS, would be shown up for what they are — merely another arm of state capitalism with limited, short-term political objectives.

As a newcomer to the Socialist Standard I have probably interpreted your methods wrongly but these observations are made in the belief that the publication and the Party has so much to offer that it seems a waste that more working people do not receive its message. After all, how many Ford’s workers or dockers stroll through Hyde Park on a Sunday?

E. H. Clark

Chingford

Reply:

We have always recognized that workers are in a better position to bargain over wages and conditions when organized in Trade Unions. However we have to point out the limitations of trade union action. It is of necessity defensive and will not change the position of the working class in society. This does not make us “anti-union”, the position is rather that trade unionists, like most other workers, are anti-Socialist. Being so immersed in the perpetual struggle to defend their living standards they do not yet appreciate that it is in their own best interests to abolish the wages system itself.

We have members in Trade Unions some of whom act as Union officials. But workers in Unions are prepared to give their support to members of this, or any other, party as officials only on the basis of what may be achieved on their behalf in the way of improved pay etc. NOT because of any agreement with, or interest in, their political aims. Bear in mind also that there are those who advocate the use of industrial action as an instrument of revolution. We have always to emphasise the need for the working class to gain control of the political machinery.

We too are anxious that Socialist knowledge should reach all sections of the working class as quickly as possible. Though we are as yet a small party our activities are by no means restricted to Hyde Park and the occasional election campaign. Where it is practicable members discuss the Party case, and sell Standards, at their places of work. Literature is also sold outside colleges, Stations, shopping centres and — yes — outside Ford’s Dagenham works, etc.

Editors.