way out of warfare over pay.
strike. reports on what followed.
Basnett's original proposals were for the setting up of a Public Sector Commitice of the His first proposal on LAST DECEMBER David Basnett, Chairperson of he TUC, wrote an article in the Sunday Times on Two and a half weeks later he showed just what he meant by a way out of warfare when he voted at the General Council against supporting the firemen's Al the time there was little public response by other union leaders to Basnett's proposals. However behind the scenes, union leaders were scurrying to discuss his proposals within weeks of the firemen's defeat.
On 9 February, at what we believe to be the first of several meetings, the leaders of seven public sector union met to discuss Basnett's proposals. included Drain of NAEGO, Christopher of the IRSE Fisher of NUPE, Jarvis of the NUT, Spanswick of CORSE, and Thomas of the CPSA. RICH PALSER what this should do was to establish even more regular COLLECT WELS the discuss economic policy For Basnett, as he made clear the conference, whilst there will be 'no agreed phase 4', the unions must not abandon all general responsibility in reaching wage agreements.
For: him and the government will still act ment as it did in isolating the renen The meeting of the They sector endorse in principle such a TUC Public Sector Committee with broad terns of reference of the creation of a united Tocus for public soctor unions for pressure on Govertment on and cash limits'. This would be Governmen! HOE BOTE TALE BAUEAU crate pressure group almed at departments to cconomic beiween the unions public decided expenditure the cuts under TUC public by other control, and discussine Day Dolley in the the line with proposals.
Basnett's second proposa] Synchronisation of principal stacost dates and a revice of negotiating machinery. This securing united action on pas public SCLEME and wages. It is airned at creating a united response by the union Tenders in negotiating with, and pressurising, the government, idea. and in settling the agreements reached by their memhers.
According to our sources the public leaders do not as yet feel able to go along with this, and have lef open how the Public Sector Computtee should achieve its objectives on pay.
But they have spelt out common objective on pay in Busnett's original They agreed the Committee should develop means of ensuring that pahl service pay is not treated more detrimetray or more recide! than pay in other soctors of the In orber words that public proportion to wages in the private sector. Basnett had originally proposed permanent bodies to establish and private sector pay.
Whatever the CHICCICHE and disagreements between the union leaders on how the TUC Sector Committee should achieve its objectives, and there seem to be many, oue thing is clear. The discussions are aimed at strengthening the negotiations and discussions with the government, through the TUC, so that wages in the public sector are not ailowed to fall behind the private soctor.
They are aimed forging united action by public private sector WOrkErs against алу wages limit, and Particularly dangerous is the which tempting public seclor workers who lear being isolated and defeated Like the firemen that wages can be defended by negotiating for increases in line with the private sector.
LES IS dangerous firstly bocause it divides workers in the public and private sector.
Jeaving public sector workers inactisely waiting for the private sector to achieve their wage increases, lisa restore differentials strategy. which has aided the ment in isolating the Leyland toolmakers.
ACTION Secondly. with the toolroom workers, if does not allow public sector workers to 'go round" any wages mit, The firemen were promised SOMONTIOn AT WAR of other workers —ouly to find refusing their promised shorter working week and threatening the renewed use of troops.
It is only by demanding an end to all talks with the government, and appealing for united action on pay with other defend living standards can be