Strike after bosses sack 239

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The last mass meeting of been on strike ever since, the 3,000 TGWU members the local bureaucracy to make who are on strike in sym- the strike official.

Pened. The reason they have now placing the dispute in the to continue the action reinstatement of the 239 with gone for these eight men is that hands of ACAS and have called despite some bitterness at no break in service, which the prospect of remaining would hit pension rights. There has , been a fight for to be called off so ithat manage. on strike for two weeks •It seems that management extended supporting strikes, ment will talk.

The quiet village of Crow Edge near Penistone in Yorkshire is the scene of a very bitter dispute.

The issue erupted after a meeting of TGWU members held in working hours to discuss a pay claim.

239 workers were immediately sacked, (including one who had come in on his day off) and were sent home.

Events since then have moved rapidly in the factory, Hepworth Iron Company, and its subsidiary G.R. Stein.

Full reinstatement

All the TGWU members have although it took ten days for The men are demanding fuli have been preparing for this situation and, are now intent on destroying the unions there as a prelude to redundancies.

The subsidiary, G.R. Stein has already approached ASTMS with proposals for substantial redundancies.

At Hepworth, the ASTMS branch chairman, lan Christopherson has been sacked for refusing to scab on the strike.

Management refuses to discuss directly with the sacked men or strikers but has demanded through TGWU officials that eight TGWU members be barred from holding union office for five years, as a condition of full re-instatement. This has been flatly rejected.

Thwarted Stockpiles of pipes had been built-up in preparation for the TROTSKYISM TODAY NUMBER THREE Theoretical journal Contents include WSL British Perspectives The Poisoned Well The Spartacist School of Invention ackground to the Cur Crisis in Turkey plus Left the Limelight Order now (price 60p plus 20p p&p) from WSI 31, Dartmouth Park Hill London NW5 1HR they are the leaders"

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Name, Address dispute and this week a convoy of scab lorries, protected by police, was able to move pipes out of the factory.

The move, however, was thwarted by dockers who refuse to handle the goods.

Relations • between police and ninbate haua ratorinratod anu pickels navo as a result and scuffles occured.

Chief Superintendant Alan Robinson said it was the police's responsibility to help the firm continue its business.

The reaction of the men has been contradictory. They are clear that the aim is to break up the union.

Works convenor Barry Almond said :

"What has happened is that we have got organised. A few years ago there was no union here. But now we have got organisea anu uty are "'y"e- _maniand and thens sua trinhtblacking and wilding the picket.

One of the problems in picketing is the size of the factory perimeter.

Management are in position to build new gates as they need to and easily bring in scabs. A reinforced picket is essential.

Dangerous step

On the other hand, strikers took the dangerous step of suggesting that their credentials be suspended while an independent inquiry was convened.

This was rejected by manage. ment who want the full concessions.

An industrial tribunal failed to find in favour of the sacked ASTMS member.

The uninn hureaucracy are UI U..

for the strikes in the Midlands .£1.10 . £2.20 .£5.50 £10.00 he nwhile dige cor i clear placed bodies is in

Mea the strike

Crow E tinues.

it i that so long as faith is in such "independent" as ACAS, the dispute danger of being lost.

The determination of the strikers must be taken forward. They must demand that their TGWU officials withdraw from the ACAS hearing, that the strikes in the Midlands are restarted.

The union officials must be called on to win the dispute by calling supporting strike action and mobilising for a mass picket so that these convoys are stopped.

The blacking must be continued and extended.

Messages of support should be sent to Brother Terry Wright, Martin Nest Farm, Lower Common, Hepworth, Holmfirth, HD7 1TN.

Convenor Barry Almond (Barnsley 81000) will supply speakers at meetings.

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