How do we build an effective rank and file movement?

I'd be interested to hear any comments or ideas on this, so contributions to this discussion are most welcome.  I'd also be particularly interested to hear (confidentiality and security permitting) from any sparks on how they managed to build things up within their industry to the extent that they've been able to carry out actions which have flown in the face of the anti-union laws and the official Trade Union 'wisdom' of not rocking the boat.

Anyway, in building a rank and file movement, it seems to me that we need to be covering as many bases as possible: in our workplaces, in union branches, Trades Councils, regionally, locally...

Industrially

I'm aware of the following rank and file groupings:

• Rank and file bus workers
• Rank and file call centre workers
• Unite construction workers rank and file
• Electricians against the world

If anyone knows of any more, please add them to this.

More general, there's also the NSSN, Broad Left, Left Unity, Grassroots rank and file (have I missed anyone else?) which, to one degree or another, seem to be under the influence of one or the other left political group or party (if I'm mistaken here, please correct me). In at least one case, a rank and file grouping has become a political battleground between warring leftist parties after control of the organisation.  Call me simple but what this has to do with building a viable rank and file movement is beyond me.  If political control over what's supposed to be a rank and file workers organisation is the best some organisations on the left can do, then we're seriously better off without them.

It's possible that this desire for political control is the key to our lack of success when building from below and part of the reason there's currently no influential rank and file movement in the UK.

Rank and file a means to an end - installing tomorrow's bureaucrats?

Part of the problem is any rank and file movement that shoves its head above the parapet is immediately seen as a means of building a political base.  The movement or network is seen as a mere slatebuilding tool which allows those from one or another left party to build support for their prospective candidates in union elections.  Again, what this has to do with building a viable rank and file movement is beyond me.  I can't count the number of 'lefts' who have become bureaucrats on the backs of some 'rank and file' network they've used.  Equally, I can't count the number of bureaucrats promoted from the 'rank and file' who've gone on to have zero interest in building real rank and file initiatives*. Probably because it's not actually in the bureaucrat job spec and the election of our 'comrade' is essentially seen as job done for us poor rank and filers.  Needless to say, this is all a tad off-putting for those of us who have no interest in this or that party and just want to get on with trying to empower ourselves and those we work with and linking up with other workers from our and other industries to fight more effectively.

* Unless you count those 'rank and file' organisations whose committees seem to consist of a fair few union full timers and even General Secretaries... but then, isn't that stretching the definition of a rank and file organisation just a bit?

A local example

I'll talk a bit now about what we've been doing in Leicester. 

Prior to the big N30 public sector strike, a few of us here were thinking that 

• this strike would never have come about if it was just down to union leaders
• the action was in response to the widespread outrage felt by public sector workers at all levels, i.e. rank and file workers
• the leaders are, by and large, most likely to sell us out at the earliest opportunity
• a one day protest strike will achieve very little in real terms and N30 needed to be the start of building a movement
• the struggle needs taking beyond the public sector and needs broadening out within the wider working class
• given the current climate of capitalist crisis, cuts and ConDem shennanigans, the existence of a strong, viable and effective rank and file movement is even more vital

So, what we did in Leicester was produce about 1000 flyers advertising a local rank and file meeting on 1st December and distributed these on the local N30 march and on picket lines. We publicised it further on a couple of local leftist email lists and notified former members of the now defunct IWW local. We also communicated with comrades on the Trades Council who are very sympathetic to what we want to achieve.

Considering it was such short notice, the December 1st meeting was not too badly attended (about 15-18 of us) by mostly public sector workers, a couple of unwaged and a couple of people from Occupy Leicester.  It was decided by those at the meeting to launch Leicestershire Solidarity Group to fulfill a wider role locally (rank and file and other class struggle issues - e.g. claimants, etc).

The solidarity group has now called for a second rank and file meeting which will take place on Thursday 11 January. This will be a planning meeting in preparation for an eventual larger Leicestershire-wide rank and file conference.  What this conference will be able to achieve will depend on those who participate in it.

Follow this example?

It's my suggestion that comrades should try and achieve something similar to what's happening in Leicester in their own localities, or at least discuss what is achievable in your respective areas. From there, we should aim to link up any local rank and file initiatives.

What's vital though, it that we:

• are strictly non party political
• don't tolerate political maneuvering from any group or party
• distance ourselves from slatebuilding
• accept that electing left or rank and file candidates must be absolutely outside the remit of building a fighting rank and file group or organisation

Sorry if this has all been a bit rambling.  Anything you think I've got wrong or muddled, please let me know. Comments appreciated.

Serge