The Ballot-Vote System

Although the Triple Alliance may be called a 'leaders’ organisation’, that did not mean that the rank and file was totally neglected. Especially the miners were anxious to involve the members. The way, they wanted that be practicised, however, hampered swift action, and did not contribute to the effectiveness of the Alliance. Before any strike action could be taken by the MFGB, the rank and file had to be consulted through a ballot vote. The Miners wanted the other unions to adopt the same system. The NUR and the NTWF refused this, because the situation in their respective industries was totally different. The mining industry was relatively black-leg proof, but in the transport industries the ballot process - which could take a few weeks - would enable the authorities to improvise a strike-breaking machine which would make the strike almost impotent from its very commencement. So it was the case, therefore, that the Alliance’s Constitution allowed the affiliated bodies to decide upon this kind of matters according their own constitution.

This led to the strange situation, that if the NUR and the NTWF found themselves in a position where they have to fight for the very existence of their organisations, no material help could come from the MFGB until they had taken a ballot and obtained a two-thirds majority in favour of sympathetic strike action, The NUR and the NTWF, however, having the power to declare strike action through their respective Executives and delegate conferences as and when circumstances may require, were supposed to declare immediately for sympathetic strike assistance to the miners. Having realised this, it appears to be more comprehensible why in September 1919 Thomas did not appeal to the Triple Alliance, for either he would not have obtained the immediate assistance of the miners or he had to wait until the miners had completed their ballot process. The latter possibility would have impaired the opportunity to gain a victory. It is quite understandable, too, why the transport workers and railway men - in September 1920 - did not immediately give their support to the miners, for they had not completed their ballot process.