Awkward Squad

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The name Awkward Squad was given in 2002/2003 to an informal grouping of left-leaning British trade unionists who were seen as sharing an opposition to the neo-liberal policies of the ruling New Labour faction of the Labour Party. It includes such figures as Bob Crow of the RMT, Mark Serwotka of the PCS and Jeremy Dear of the NUJ, it has seen an increase in co-operation between unions in an attempt to set a new political agenda.

In a series of leadership elections, union members elected candidates who stood for a return the traditional function of trade unions - to stand up for their members' interests even if that brought them into conflict with a government supported by the Labour - and were openly critical of Tony Blair's continuation of Thatcherism. Some have also taken up a wider, left-wing internationalist political agenda, by, for example, speaking out against the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and in support of the Palestinians' struggle against Israel.

The "Awkward Squad" is split between those who wish to reclaim the Labour Party for the masses, and those who want to break with Labour and try to build a new mass movement. Some of the latter have already shown some support for parties other than Labour, including the Scottish Socialist Party and the Respect Coalition.

Two former members of the "Awkward Squad" have been defeated. Andy Gilchrist of the FBU, a member of the "reclaim Labour", was ousted by Matt Wrack who is more inclined towards building a new party. Mick Rix of ASLEF was ousted by a right-winger, Keith Norman, in a surprise election result, after assuming his position was so secure he didn't need to campaign for re-election.

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"It's a well known secret that many of us meet up to discuss. We'll support each other on specific issues and follow each other's lead." (Andy Gilchrist)