Steel Bonus Figh
Socialist Press1976 1976-09-08Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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tary of the local branch.
"NON-POLITICAL"
Last week over 1000 machine shop workers at BSC's River Don works in Sheffield came out on a 24hour strike against a management demand for wage cuts.
Not satisfied with holding down wages under the 4% pay policy, the Corporation has decided unilaterally to end a seven year old productivity agreement which gave a bonus of up to £15 a week.
This latest move follows a year in which the labour force has been run down in line with the agreement of steel union leaders nationally to help the Corporation achieve cost-savings of £8 million a week.
According to Tony Hope, AUEW Convenor, the alternative who is also SecreHe declared that rent is a "nonpolitical" issue, and attempted to silence anyone who tried to give a political perspective to the struggle (including another well Known member of the local Communist This was especially important because the platform contained members of the National Front.
The failure to challenge the fascists handed over to them on a plate a position of respectability and even leadership in the working class of Sandwell.
Fortunately not all workers share Mick Peckmore's complacency. Building workers in Sandwell's scheme planned by management would mean a clear reduction in earnings.
"We have no intention of taking a cut in bonus earnings, which the TUC-Government pay policy • will prevent us from correcing.
The workers have the backing of the AUEW District Committee and further strike action is planned.
This move by BSC underlines the importance of a fight against all forms of wage control and the union officials who act as their policemen. As well as this, preparations must be made locally and nationally for strike action to defeat BSC's plans to cut manning and to fight for work-sharing on full pay the tenants until the National Front members are thrown off the action committee.
This is a correct decision. But it is important to réalise that what has given the National Front their chance is the failure of Sandwell's "left' Labour councillors to offer any lead to the tenants.
DISCIPLINE
On this issue, as on all other cuts in council services they have put Labour group discipline above socialist principles.
The result will no doubt be seen in next week's by-election in Victoria ward, Smethwick where both the National Front and a tenant's candidate are standing in a formerly safe Labour seat.