28.11.1996

Railworkers feel SLP pull

The momentum to break from the Labour Party was given another boost last week. The Rail Maritime Transport union announced that Bobby Law, a member of the Socialist Labour Party, had been elected onto the national executive as tube workers’ representative.

In a 20% turnout, Bobby defeated his nearest rival, Glenroy Watson, by 728 to 375 votes in a postal ballot of London Underground RMT members.

I joined the SLP because of disillusionment with New Labour,” Bobby told me. “The SLP is the only party which mirrors RMT policies, particularly over privatisation.”

However, it is clear that the political affiliation of the two main contenders had little impact on the contest: “It had no effect on the way I ran the campaign; I told people what I think they wanted to hear,” he added. “I campaigned against privatisation and for one union for underground workers.”

Glen Watson was equally convinced that the divided loyalties between the RMT and the main drivers’ union, Aslef, was completely counterproductive:

“I am chair of the RMT train drivers committee, but some Aslef members say they want one union - but for drivers only. We can organise as train drivers, but we also need to organise as an industry, to assist all other members in the union. We can achieve one union on the underground by taking the best bits from both Aslef and the RMT.”

Asked about his political affiliation, Glen answered:

“I’m not in the SLP, if that’s what you mean. Politically I lean towards socialism, but as an African in this country I know you have to get racism addressed at the same time. People don’t see that there is discrimination within classes.”

He justified continued support for Labour by drawing a parallel with union membership:

“The trade unions are often not helpful to black people, but I would never leave the union. I insist that the link with Labour must be maintained - I want the Tories out. I support the philosophy of the SLP, but the timing is very poor.”

“But we need the SLP to put pressure on Blair,” Glenroy added.

The influence of the SLP project is starting to be felt way beyond its individual members. In the RMT the potential of its pulling power is felt at all levels, from the rank and file to the national leadership.

This move by a section of the class towards the idea of working class political organisation is largely spontaneous and still lacks programmatic clarity.

But those left groups who dismiss it or try to push it back to the Labour Party are only displaying their own bankruptcy.

Peter Manson