LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR reports on the unique TSSA Socialist Fellowship.
Thursday May 15, 2008
The Morning Star
TSSA delegates celebrated the 100th anniversary of the transport union's traditional Socialist Fellowship conference fringe event with revolutionary songs, poetry and humour.
The fellowship is a unique socialist organisation founded by George Ridley and a handful of other politically active members in 1908, with the aim of affiliating the Railway Clerks Association, the forerunner of the TSSA, to the young Labour Party.
The objectives of this small group were eventually realised in 1910 and the union has been affiliated to the party ever since.
The yearly fringe event brings together socialist ideas of all persuasions in an atmosphere of comradeship and solidarity.
Members share their thoughts on current issues, recite poetry, sing songs and deliver humorous speeches with a serious message.
Opening the meeting in Scarborough on Monday evening, fellowship president Malcolm Wallace reminded comrades that the president traditionally has unlimited powers for the evening, including the authority to call on anyone to contribute to the event in any way they can.
"I am the dictator for the evening," he laughed, before calling his first "victim."
Scottish delegate Alec Smith entertained the audience with a song commemorating the heroes of the Spanish civil war, while veteran delegate John Barton praised the October and Cuban revolutions as an inspiration for socialists around the world.
"No doubt, the day for socialism will come," he said, sighing: "But it's taking a bloody long time."
General secretary Gerry Doherty joined in the fun, belting out a heartfelt rendition of Bread and Roses by Martin Whelan, traditionally sung at gatherings of Irish labour activists.
"Look up, the sky is burning with blood that workers shed, and we'll carry on the battle for roses and bread," sang Mr Doherty.
A wide range of issues was tackled, but at the centre of discussions was the state of the Labour Party after the disastrous May election results and where to go from here.
Speakers expressed real concern that Labour could lose the next general election to the Tories.
But, while some were gloomy about the future, others pointed to the recent pay strikes by teachers, civil servants and other public-sector workers as proof that the labour movement will not take it lying down.
"There is one feeling far more powerful than fear and that is hope," said assistant general secretary Manuel Cortes.
"When people are willing to take a stand, others are inspired to have hope in another world based on collectivism and social justice.
"There is one class that produces all the wealth in the world and that is the working class," Mr Cortes said to cheers, adding: "We can and will run this world better and in the interest of many, not the greedy few."
Rounding up the event, Mr Wallace decided to end his 28-year long "dictatorship" and appointed Dave Hillam as his successor.
He explained: "I know this is not very democratic, but, traditionally, each president and treasurer appoints their successor."
Treasurer Claude James followed suit and appointed Pauline McArdle as his successor.
We all stood to sing the Red Flag and the International with fists in the air and hearts filled with a deep sense of solidarity.
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