The group originated in the Northern Ireland Labour Party (NILP), but developed a separate existence as that organisation declined in support,[1] and was expelled from the NILP in 1977.[2] It was initially named the "Labour and Trade Union Coordinating Committee", and aimed to include other left-wingers. It campaigned for a Conference of Labour, at which trade unions, socialist groups and community campaigns could agree on a coordinated approach to labour movement politics, but no such conference was ever held.[3]