Trouble in the Unions Some of the difficulties and complexity
of trade union activity are revealed this week by the warnings issued to their members by two great unions, the Amalgamated Engineering Union and the General and Transport Workers' Union. Each is directed against the dangers of so-called " unofficial " leadership—in the one case of the Aircraft Shop Stewards' National Council, in the other of the Central Bus Committee. The " shop stewards " are credited with the intention of organising a strike among the aircraft workers ; the Central Bus Committee has just been relieved of its powers after carrying on a bus strike with the authority and support of the General and Transport Workers' Union. And it is claimed by the Committee, which is officially represented on the Union Executive, that the agreement signed by Mr. Bevin has not had the busmen's consent. It is unfortunate that, though Mr. Bevin has acted in the men's best interests, there is sufficient reason in the Com- mittee's complaint to give further impetus to its activities. It is certain that nothing could be- worse for the busmen and their union than that the conflict should come to the point of a breakaway under the Committee's leadership ; and that Mr. Bevin is right in calling for unity in the Union and confidence in its leadership. But it is also true that the Committee, for whatever reason, has a sufficient following among the men, and a sufficient status, to claim that they cannot be dismissed as " unofficial " agitators.
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