Flavour of Meeting of Harlow TUC 8 December 2000

The resolution from the last meeting calling for the Nationalisation of the Railways will be discussed at the January meeting of Harlow Labour Party. The reason for this was that the 15 December meeting had been cancelled so that people could attend the joint Trade Union/Labour Party social at the Labour Club on the same day. Harlow TUC have sponsored this event to encourage developments in the links between the trade unions and the Labour Party, which have been rather frayed of late.

It appears the Labour Club is changing its name to the Colt Hatch Club so that it can distance itself from Labour. It also appears that trade union notices are being removed from the walls because they are 'political'. In addition, sexist material appears to be being put up. If this is true, (and trade unionists meeting there have reported it) this is a sad development prophesied when the club was formed, relying so much as it does on bar takings and the clientele to keep this up. Nevertheless we will investigate these reports for the next meeting to see if something needs to be done.

Discussion took place around a resolution opposing developments towards privatizing the London Underground system. Felt the public/private initiatives being pushed by the Government was in effect privatization by another name. Whether the motives of the Government were 'privatize by stealth' or just plain ignorance of what was happening was immaterial, it was important to vigorously oppose these measures. Instead of attaching it to the railway nationalisation resolution, it was decided to send it in separately, although it was likely Harlow Labour Party would discuss them jointly. The resolution stated "Harlow TUC call on the Government to ensure the London Underground system remains fully in public ownership and control, and as a single entity."

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