Ucatt chiefs under fire

Delegates to the UCATT conference in Llandudno retreated behind closed doors yesterday (Wednesday) for a bare knuckle fight over the future of their union. Before the conference was a statement from the executive council recommending a transfer of engagements to the TGWU. But up until the last moment it remained touch and go whether the plan would be approved. Union leaders were reluctant to forecast the result of the day long debate.

Despite the reporting gag, there was no disguising a bitter backlash against the executive. Previous conferences had consistently instructed the leadership to maintain UCATT as an independent union. Delegates accused the current executive of serious mismanagement of union affairs. Much anger focused on legal bills said to total œ650,000.

The conference had already heard that thousands of UCATT members paying a political levy to the labour party are to be robbed of the right to vote for a new party leader. Delegates were told that Ucatt could not afford the œ60,000 cost of the postal ballot required by the Labour National Executive. They were not allowed to hold a branch vote.

John Flavin, chairman of the executive, said the union was facing deep rooted and inherent problems. He deplored: 'those who like to pick out scapegoats and find simple solutions.'

The executive council merger statement claimed that there was 'an irrefutable industrial logic for such a step.'