[Pickets at the Hepworth Iron Company in who…]

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Pickets at the Hepworth Iron Company in who walked out when management sacked 239 workers for attending a union meeting are clear that the issue involved is not simply one of defending jobs- management have offered to reinstate all the workers under certain "conditions"_ but one of basic trade union principles.

The involvement of ACAS in the dispute has predictably resolved nothing.

Barred

An agreement was made with management and trade union officials which was rejected by the men.

Management have insisted that four stewards be barred from holding union office at the plant.

The only change in this position is the reduction in the number of stewards being openly victimised.

The immediate result of this announcement was for the strike committee to suggest holding fresh elections and taking it from there. Management refused.

The local TGWU official made it clear whose side he was on when as a means of ending the strike he asked the convenor not to put himself forward for reelection-a position which the strike committee refused to accept..

Unilateral decision

Today, further implications are made clear, with the announcement of a unilateral decision by management to end the closed shop agreement with the TGWU.

This has only fuelled the determination of the strikers.

As a result of the failure of the ACAS talks and management's refusal to talk to national officer Brian Cox, the dispute it to be stepped up.

Delegations from the strike committee are to go to Hepworth works near Burton on-Trent and Nottingham to call for supporting action.

It is hoped that strike action will be called for in 128 Hepworth plants and depots and that blacking of the products, which consist mainly of ceramic stepped up.

While fighting themselves for this perspective, it is essential that the strikers demand that their local and national officials call the supporting strike action.

It is also important that the £6 strike pay be supplemented by raising a levy on all TGWU members in the region.

The perimeter of the factory to be picketed is about four miles and delegations from union branches to reinforce. the picket will be welcomed.

At the moment, scab labour is running parts of the plant and TGWU members are in some cases driving lorries through the picket line.

Message of support and financial donations should be sent to: Brother Terry Wright, Martin Nest Farm, Lower Common, Hepworth, Holmfirth, HD7 1TN.

=AS About 100 workers at the Usher-Walker factory in Stratford, East London, have completed a successful week long strike in defence of Trade Union principle.

The dispute began when management attempted to suspend Brother T. Barett ITTACKS pite - 1 Monthly paper of the Socialist Youth League Available on subscription o readers of Socialist Press Annual subscription is £1.50 for twelve issues including p&p, or 60p to current subscribers of Socialist Press From WSL, 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR