South African workers revolt

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South African engine plant workers Continued from page In January 1500 Firestone workers had gone on strike to demand a repayment of their accumulated wage deductions for a pension scheme-before these deductions could be frozen under proposed new laws.

The workers had won their demands, but Firestone bosses had been able to victimise about 150 workers who were sacked in February.

Price 60p (including post: NSL, BM Box 5277, London Workers at General Motors and Fords organised action in solidarity with these victimised Firestone workers.

Firestone tyres were blacked in support of a demand for the unconditional reinstatement of the 150.

Last Tuesday (19 May), hundreds of workers at GM went on strike to back up this demand.

V.%: 1123 The next day, 1500 workers at the three Ford plants came out alongside the GM workers.

A day later, Firestone workers downed tools and joined the united strike to demand reinstatement.

This tremendous show of solidarity and combativity in the face of vicious state repression, is a fighting example to the struggle of workers everywhere.

These workers must not be left to fight alone. They Not even the supplespined opportunists of the Spanish Socialist Party have been able to accept the ludicrous government statement explaining last weekend's Barcelona bank siege.

A gang of over 20 fascist gunmen had täken over the need the immediate and ongoing support of their only genuine ally -the working class in Britain and internationally.

The Leyland workers are demanding an immediate 14p per hour wage rise to cover inflation, and a further increase to improve living standards.

Thousands of workers in both Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are waging a struggle for reinstatement of workers sacked by bosses. wingers but "anarchists" _ and that there were no members of the army, police or civil guard among them.

The story is still unfolding as we go to press: but the inescapable fact is that the Spanish workers' movement faces an ever growing A victory in these struggles will strengthen the South African black working class in its courageous struggle against the bosses, their apartheid government, and their international allies.

The maximum possible solidarity action must be mobilised in Britain to lend support to these struggles.

The fight must be taken up for the blacking of all supplies to and from the strike hit plants in South danger of a renewed coup by the unrefonned Francoists who head the police and armed forces. And the danger is worsened by the criminal complacency and collaboration of the Socialist Party and Communist Party leaders. Africa.

British workers at Leylands, Fords and other parent companies can add their organised strength to the cause of their class brothers and sisters in South Africa.

Mass meetings, blacking action, strike action-every form of independent working class solidarity action Will strengthen the position workers in struggle in South Africa, and weaken the hand of the bosses and their government.

The Leyland Action Committee and the Cowley TGWU 5/293 Branch have already given a lead in their message of solidarity to the unions of the striking workers. The following telegrammes were sent to the Leyland strikers and the sacked Firestone workers:

"We express total support for wage demands and unconditional reinstatement of every striking fellow worker at Leyland and will fight for maximum possible blacking and strike solidarity action.

"We express total support for reinstatement struggle at Firestone and will fight for maximum possible blacking and strike solidarity action.

Messages of support to the British Leyland strikers should be sent to NUMARW, (WPMAWU), 2 Goodhope Street, Bellville South, Cape Town, and messages of support to the Firestone workers to Government Zini, Ford Cortina, Struandale Plant, Port Elizabeth. Palestine

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FOR WORKERS' N Nam bia