Incomes and
Policies
NION conferences in 1965 are
going to be addressing themselves to both the working class and. the Labour Government. It is therefore limportant that the usual ‘perennials’ on the agenda of every conference be balanced. with resolutions that will provoke thought and action on things that matter; and, even more important, that our decisions are of practical value -to the problems the movement is facing. Plans are more necessary than postures. The ASSET conference at Hastings in April may lead the way, judging from the preliminary agenda now circulating in the branches. Taking just two subjects: incomes policy and workers control, ideas for action will be put to the delegates that cannot fail to create enthusiastic discussion. On incomes policy, the traditional (and understandable) line of total rejection of “any form of wage restraint” is stated in resolutions from Hendon and Sheffield branches, while Edinburgh throws into the arena the demand “That there must be no negotiations on incomes policy until the employers open their books for inspection by the trade unions.” The relevance of Edinburgh’s motion has been highlighted by the recent price increases of foodstuff—why not trade union and consumer control of prices? One way to mobilise the working class as a whole against the monopolists! The demand for workers’ control (in some form or another) in the nationalised industries—as a beginning—is already TUC policy. It is no accident that ASSET members within these industries are raising specific demands for action on these lines now. A_ kind of socialist “declaration of intent”... . Footnote: The only blot on the agenda is a resolution from Liverpool North raising the ugly head of racialism under the guise of a concern for the nation’s health. Perhaps the best comment on its sponsors is the other resolution moved by the same branch and appearing immediately above it, entitled “Crude Sewerage”!
By Gavin Kennedy
me
Jan. 20, 1965 — THE WEEK