A Leaders’ Organisation

The matter of reorganising the Alliance was frequently raised. But few changes had been made. The Triple Alliance was above all an organisation of union leaders. It had a subcommittee or Consultative Committee of six members - two of each union: the president and the general secretary - which met to discuss the daily matters. Beside it was the meeting of the full executive council of the allied bodies, which should be called together every half year. The Sub-committee was empowered to organise, if necessary, a special meeting of the full executive councils. They did so, especially during crises. The rank and file only once had the opportunity to express their feelings with regards to the Alliance - at a full representative meeting in June 1917, where they ratified the constitution.

Quite often it was requested to involve the rank and file more in the work of the Alliance. In early 1917, in some localities people tried to set up branches of the Triple Alliance, and they called for demonstrations. In South Wales, district branches of the three unions requested approval to come to a closer co-operation. In the Railway Review of June 6th 1919, T.C. Morris wrote that the unity of the Alliance must be maintained "both nationally and locally". It would greatly assist in its solidarity and strength - he pointed out - if steps were taken to further its object by building up in the country where its constituent bodies were closely in association. He ascertained, however, that up to then nothing had been done, with the result that it was losing its power and influence.  During the 1920 Mining dispute, Tillett reinforced this point. He said, that it was a pity, that they had not established Triple Alliance committees in the various districts, because they would have been a source of considerable strength and assistance in this situation, that was near to revolution.

The Subcommittee had not deliberately approved of local committees. They feared - as Smillie repeatedly stated - that in their enthusiasm for the Alliance the railway men, and the miners and the transport workers should set up their little Triple Alliance in their own district and get into rows there, and then call upon the central organisation. This would be incompatible with the idea of the Alliance as ‘one body for great national purposes’, and would undermine the influence and power of the Alliance in petty disputes.