CONFIDENTIAL
There is little doubt that the success of the F.T.U.'s drive for membership, apart from the reasons given in my previous letter, is largely attributable to the intensified policy of "active concern" by offering aid and comfort to the unemployed and underemployed in the present difficult times. While the amounts of cash aid have not been large they are a substantial gesture in the circumstances and this largesse has been well spread even to the extent of including non-members in some trades.
This policy which also involves visits to the families of workers has clearly been well received. The home visit technique is being extended to the underemployed and those on work rotation systems and there is little doubt that these visits are a powerful factor in recruiting. A further fairly intensive recruitment drive aimed at getting 30,000 more members started in March 1975, with an emphasis on encouraging members to recruit their friends and relatives including those who do not work in the same trade.
The Federation of Trade Unions and its constituent unions, have made quite adrcit use of publicity in the disputes where they have intervened or made it appear that they have intervened. In some cases where settlements have been achieved by the parties themselves, with or without the assistance of the Labour Department conciliation services, a left-wing union which was only marginally involved has claimed credit for the settlement. There have been one or two cases where a right-wing union has effected a settlement whereupon a left-wing union with members in the same work force has disowned the settlement and reached a slightly more favourable settlement themselves with the employer, claiming rather exaggerated credit for their intervention. These are usually straight propaganda moves; privately in many cases the left-wing unions have advised the workers that settlements particularly in redundancy disputes are reasonable in the circumstances and have advised them to accept.
With regard to the right-wing unions there has been some increase in membership but this does not appear to be the result of any strong recruitment drive; rather is it the attraction of possible benefits and the general economic situation. These unions still lack the discipline, drive, and dedication of leadership of the left-wing unions.
On the more general political front it is possible that the advent of the People's Congress in Peking may have precluded much. change in policy line during the latter part of last year and it is too early to say whether more than an intensified recruitment effort is being required of the F..U. this year.
Looking to the future we foresee that the pattern of disputes for some months is likely to be mainly concerned with redundancy with the 1974 severance pay legislation continuing to form the main basis for settlements. We are currently examining the effects of this legislation after its first six months in operation but generally we must conclude that it was enacted just in time to take the heat out of a lot of
CONFIDENTIAL