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On Dee Iith a demonstration against unemployment, organised by the STUC, took place in Glasgow. There was a high turn out. Some estimates put it as high as 5.000 pcople. Most major trade unions were represented. Political groups included the Labour party, the Communist Party, and the SLP. There was also a contingent from the Right to Work Campaign.
The STUC demonstration finished with a rally in the Apollo Theatre. It was addressed by leading trade unionists and lert Labour MPs. The organisers of the demonstration urged caution in criticising the government. This contrasted with their continual assertions that current economic policy was wrong-headed. Indeed it con trasted with the very need for a demonstration.
A some-what different attitude prevailed at a post-demonstration meeting in City Halls later that same afternoon. Over a 100 people gathered for a rally against the cuts organised by the SIP. Opening the rally Douglas Gilchrist of Cumbernauld SLP and EIS commented on remarks that the morning's demonstration had not been against the government. "I submit that it was" he said to be greeted with applause. He went on to call for opposition to all cuts and unemployment. He emphasised the need to make representatives of the labour movement accountable to the rank and file.
The rest of the meeting was taken up with contributions from the floor. Unlike the STUC rally this meeting was only allowed but encouraged contributions from all shades of socialist opinion.
Corrie MoChord - an executive member - of Stirling Trades Council and TGWU branch chairman stressed that to challenge the weak-kneed policies of the STUC leadership you needed an -alternative economic programme. He dwelt on the importance of
Stirling Trades Council resolution 17 to the last STUC Congress, using it as an example of such an alternative.
Joln Glen of the Right to Work Campaign laid the stress in his contribution on the need for action. He told the rally that the Right to Work campaign would be organising a march to the next STUC and appealed for support.
Donald Anderson of the Scottish Republican Clubs commented on the failures of the Labour party. He considered that the left as a whole hade made a great error in supporting labour in 1974. He asserted that the main sources of hope were the SNP and SLP.
Charlie: Baird was concerned with involvement at the grass roots. In his view the emphasis of much action was overconcerned with the work place and was over-organised. He held up the Fair Fares campaien, of which he is it member, as an example of more constructive action.
The theme of action was also taken up by George Kerevan of Edinburgh SIP and FIS. He endorsed John Glen's remarks. But, he said, as well as demonstrating outside the STUC. socialists must also fight on the foor of congress. He went on to discuss carrying the fight into the political arena. He said that in the District Council clections the labour movement must put up anti-cuts candidates and oppose councillors who refuse to oppose the cuts. He outlined the plans of Edinburgh SIP to conduct such an election campaign.
In all 15 people spoke. Despite politienl differences the meeting was friendly. The sceds of future co-operation were being sown.
MARTIN O'LEARY