Chapple launches new witch-hunt
Socialist Press1980 1980-04-30Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 11 →
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You. L BRANC ¡Ahhiore annaso in earlier hurenucratic move-in 1977 That extreme right wing Electricians' union leader Frank Chapple has finally dispensed with even the last vestige of union democracy is clearly demonstrated by the classic bureaucratic shutdown of the 2000strong Cardiff branch.
Chapple's latest dictate (itself a flagrant contravention of union rule 10) follows closely the suspension of Birmingham Midland branch (6,000 members) earlier this year.
Hazard
Of course, the liquidation of militants into right wing-dominated branches and the suppression of ballot results, particularly when they reject Chapple nominees, has always been • an occupational hazard for union activists in the EETPU.
Chapple has always been the first TUC leader to sacrifice his members' living standards in the "'national interest"
The Concordat, inspired by Chapple and , Basnett (GMWU) under the last Labour government included:
*Limitations on picketing rights *Acceptance of secret ballots before strike action *Pledges not to strike before wage deals expire *Rejection of the principle of the 'closed shop'.
At the very sharpest point in last year's Confed engineering strike it was Chapple who threatened to ballot EETPU members, effectively sabotaging the struggle and the pay claim.
Again,/in negotiating private medical cover for electricians Chapple has gone farthest in undermining the NHS. • In the power industry, without consultation of the membershin another 'American tvbe' GLIU LAINI PHOTO: John Sturrock, Report labour deal has been imposed; the latest deal concedes 19%but is designed to hold until July 1981, ie. 18 months!
Another Chapple imposition was the notorious JIB for contracting 'sparks' where wage levels are cobbled together, again over the heads of workers.
It is through this Board that militants are blacklisted, with full knowledge of union officials.
Undoubtedly, with the upsurge of workers prepared to defend their interests (steelworkers, carworkers etc) Chapple fears a loosening of the shackles in the EETPU and this struggle has been given voice, albeit inadequately, in both the Cardiff and Birmingham branches.
Hence the witch-hunting of the Cardiff branch as "supporting the SWP", This attack must be resisted by EEPTU members, as part of a struggle, for a genuine alternative leadership within this hard-pressed union.
EETPU members should LEAGUE Public meeting LEICESTER "New leaders needed defeat the Tories"
Vednesday May 7 at 7.31 Queen Victoria Hotel Southampton Street Leicester WORK Chapple ignore Chapple's latest union circular which opposes the TUC May 14 demonstration, and instead fight for maximum strike support, not as a one off but as a first step towards a general strike to bring down the Tory government.
SAVE OUR NURSERIES Midlands Region NURSERIES ACTION CONFERENCE Co-sponsored by Leicester Nottingham and Oxford Nursery Campaigns Saturday May 17 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Portland Building, Nottingham University Further details from Save Our Nurseries Campaign c/o 135a Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
STRIKE
MAY 14™ DON'T WORRY, IT'S ONLY ME... IF I'M CALLED TO THE PLATFORM TO SPEAK, THIS WAY I'M PROTECTED!
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WATCHING WATCH PHOTO: John Sturrock, Report HIMI
UNION DUES REINSTA CONT SWINDON ALS ENT LOR
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