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 Blairite project of keeping the British Labour Party in the political centre (or right, as some would claim). Including 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, British union members elected candidates who were deeply critical of New Labour. They stood for a return to what they saw as the traditional function of trade unions - to stand up for their members against the power of big business - and opposed the Blairite ideology of "reform" and "partnership". They 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. Although its members mostly still support the Labour Party (as opposed to the Labour government), certain Awkward Squad members also support the Respect Coalition.
"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)
Members
- Bob Crow (RMT)
- Jeremy Dear (NUJ)
- Billy Hayes (CWU)
- Paul Mackney (NATFHE)
- Mick Rix (ASLEF)
- Mark Serwotka (PCS)
- Derek Simpson (Amicus)
- Tony Woodley (T&G)
- Matt Wrack (FBU) - ousted Andy Gilchrist, himself a critic of Blair's government, in a vote in 2005