ICL workers strike for 15%

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stake in Britain's biggest computer firm, International Computers Limited, will be an extra hurdle to cross if striking ICL workers are to win their demand for a 15% increase on their basic rates of pay.

To fight to defeat not only the government's 5% pay limit but also the eagerhess for speed-up among trade union officials and the employers' desperate bid for profits will require a level of political consciousness which trade unionists at the Winsford plant are now beginning to grasp.

EtIPu shop Steward Richard Dunleavy told Socialist Press:

"We are very aware that management are hiding behind the government's wages policy. That means this so-called Labour government are acting solely in the interests of big DOWT001 business.

So, whether you like or not, this fight politicál."

Shop floor worker Jimmy O'Mara said:

'ICL have never had a strike like this before. We're determined to win.. We demand 15% because we need 15%. Inflation is rotting our wage levels."

With the-unofficialstrike now entering its third week, members of the EETPU, AUEW and TGWU are out at the London-based factories of Letchworth and Stevenage, as well: as the North Midlands group' at Winsford, Duckenfield, Bradwell Wood and Holmes Chapel.

Rejected

Initially, having rejected the company's 5% pay offer workers adopted the tactic of one day strikes.

This rapidly escalated to an all-out stoppage when management began using "volunteer" scab labour CAPTAL from the ranks of office staff.

This national strike comes at a time when an NEDC working party report on the computer industry reveals a sharp deterioration in the balance of trade for the UK's computer products.

Deficit It says that the adverse balance of trade for the industry in 1977 was £152 million-an increase of 37% compared with the previous year's figure.

It now says the target of achieving a favourable balance of £200 million by 1980 will have to be abandoned.

Although there has been a steady turn over of computer products in recent years (1977 is shown at £705 million; an increase of 12% on 1976), employment has fallen from 53,000 in 1971 to 43,000 in 1977.

The introduction of new micro-electronic technologies, i particular ine suIcon chip process, will add immeasurably • to the employment problem of computer workers.

At the Winsford factory 900 EETPU and AUEW members are picketing 24 hours a day, and their morale is extremely high.

When Socialist Press asked what they thought of Frank Chapple's recent 'pickets are terrorists' statement, their replies indicated that if they have their way this particular right wing traitor's days are numbered. • The fact that local full time officials have not yet come forward with the obligatory "Get back to work" cry is an indication of the tenacity and determination of these strikers.

But in the struggles to come much more than militancy and determination are needed.

A leadership has to be constructed which will defend the jobs and living standards of ICL workers.

This means spelling out the need to win not simply the present claim, but to fight for wage agreements to ONERS moles