Spread the Steel Strike. Bring Down the Tories!

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other sections of the working 2 any real increase conceded over of Shotton and Corby shows the and above the 2% would spur on way in which this pay strike is tens of thousands more workers connected at each level to the WORKERS SOCIALIST LEAGUE SELL OUT OF THE STEEL STRIKE!

As we go to press, a renewed attempt by steel union leaders to sell out their pay strike has crumbled as a result of management's refusal to offer even token concessions.

The strike, which has paralysed steel production: and begun to disrupt the movement of steel shipments, is already classic illustration of the contradiction between the wilting cowardice and compromises of 20- CA the union leadership and the militancy of shop floor workers determined to defend their jobs and living standards.

Top level

National officials of the ISTC have made great play of mobilising top level solidarity from other union leaders nationally and internationally, which has successfully imposed a considerable degree of blacking action-though steel is still moving. "

• But at the same time union instructions have been sent out to restrict the scope of ISTC pickets on docks, stockholders, and private steelworks.

And an offer by Arthur Scargill of additional forces to support piçket lines has been rejected.

Yet hos- the rank and file MOTHERWELL • londay 14 January MCA, Brandon St.

7:00 p.m. tility to this official sabotage was shown in the vote for rejection of these instructions by the Yorkshire Regional Committee of the ISTC on Monday.

For the steel union burèaucracy, indeed, the prospect of a "short sharp strike" is receding rapidly, and all their worst fears are being realised. They know that, the longer the strike lasts:

*The greater the chance of Tul! - scale mass .. picketing developing on a scale to precipitate confrontation with the Tory government and the state;

*the greater the chance that other public sector workersparticuariv: those in : British Leyland and British Rail-will: take action on their pay demands alongside the steel Scargill PUBLIC MEETINGS BRING DOWN THE TORIES!

Tuesday 15 Januar Station Hotel on the Wicker 8.00 p.m. PHOTO: Andrew Wiard. Rr workers;

*the greater the confidence will develop within the steel unions that they have the power to halt industrial production, and therefore the power to act in defence of their-jobs and working conditions.

*the more steel workers and class will. draw the correct conclusion that living standards and jobs can only be defended through bringing down the Tory government, which is pledged to an unending series of attacks on the working class. And in drawing this conclusion and feeling their class strength, workers muld alen turn "imnatientio Lull against those trade union and Labour leaders that oppose such a perspective.

Nothina would * deliaht tne than to achieve by a show of union leaders more, therefore strength, a face-saving formula which would enable them to call off a strike which has already become a considerable political embarassment to them.

But this is not the perspective of BSC management.

Backed up by the Tories, who have insisted. that the Corporation make itself profitahle hv next Anril thev have •UnI nan. offered only marainal altera tions to the initial derisory 2% increase And each alteration has been related to further attacks on jobs or conditions through productivity strings and the abolition of the guaranteed week agreement.

,The union leaders recognise that they. cannot send their members back with nothing at all, though plainly the original 17% claim has already been discarded for all but propaganda purposes.

The emplovers and the MUUPITT тат ar. Monu Tories however recognise that to take up the fight to defend their living standards.

And with a Welsh General Strike called for January 21 to protest at the impact of the steel closures, a sign of weakness could .. trigger widespread struggles.

Connected to jobs

, The militant response to the pav strike from even older workers at the "doomed" plants PER CENT Pickets at Rotherham issue of jobs.

It is essential that within the steel unions the fight is taken up for democratically elected strike committees which must have the final say on any offer made.

And an agreement for the preservation of all jobs in BSC must be made a condition of settlement of this pay claim: jobs must not be sold.

In other sections of industry —particulariv British Levland powr ыт∞ Cont'd p.11, col.6