Scottish TUSC steering committee set up

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition held a successful meeting in Glasgow on Saturday 30 January. Participating organisations included the Scottish region of the Fire Brigades Union, the Scotland No 2 branch of the Communication Workers' Union, Solidarity, the International Socialists (sister organisation of the Socialist Party), the Lanarkshire Socialist Alliance and the Socialist Workers Party.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, and Dave Nellist, Socialist Party Coventry councillor, introduced the meeting by reporting on the setting up of TUSC and the agreed core policies that form the "glue that will bind the coaltion together".

The coalition is aiming to stand in around 40 to 50 seats in the Westminster general election this year.

The meeting welcomed the initiative and agreed to set up a Scottish steering committee of TUSC, made up of two representatives per organisation and an invitation to leading trade unionists from the RMT, PCS and other unions to take part in a personal capacity. The Scottish Socialist Party have refused to take part in the coalition.

All representatives agreed to report back to their organisations and meet again on 13 February to finalise candidates and the Scottish constituencies that TUSC would aim to stand in.

There was enthusiasm for this step forward in building a working class alternative to the big business parties, including the Scottish National Party that is carrying out major cuts in public services.

It was agreed that the Scottish steering committee of TUSC would look at adding to the core policies, particularly around the issue of a referendum on Scottish independence.

This welcome start needs to be built on. The attendance of leading trade unionists in Scotland augurs well for the ability of TUSC to build a base of support among important sections of workers in the run up to the general election and beyond.

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In The Socialist 3 February 2010:

'Filthy rich' get richer: Challenge the bosses' greed!