3,000 Strike Agains Steel Sackings

Scan page 11

Red Weekly, for example, argues that "As in 1974 the miners are not just fighting for themselves; for they are fighting the Social Contract policies of this Govern: ment"

Not a mention of wages by the IMG - who fall hook, line and sinker for Gormley's decoy. Much the same position is taken by the International Socialists, though their paper, Socialist Worker does at least mention the need to fight the 4½% policy, though it makes no call for a fight to smash the TUCgovernment wage freeze.

We fully support any action taken to back the demand for early retirement. But we have a duty to expose the underhand motives of the right wingers who now eloquently arugue for it.

We say that nearly every vote for action on the retirement demand could, if given a lead, have been a vote for action also on wages - to confront the 4½%, and fight for catching up increases tied to a cost of living index worked out by elected trade union committees.

And we stand by our position in the last issue of Socialist Press: "Early retirement is a vital demand, particularly for miners. But you can't eat it. Gormley's diversion must be seen for what it is.

Three thousand workers from Edgar Alan Balfour factories in Sheffield are now out on strike against the closure of Balfour Darwins Capital Tool Works.

Not only 450 jobs at the Capital Tool Works but many more in other factories are threatened by the closure, the first step in a rationalisation plan.

This joint action follows weeks of stalling by the Confed and the attempt to negotiate an alternative plan to "make the factory viable"

The only action called by the Confed has been for the blacking of Balfour Darwins products to pressure management to reopen negotiations.

Rather than ineffective blacking factory after factory voted for full strike action, shutting down all the Edgar Alan Balfour factories in This action showed the strength and determination to fight the redundancies but it is hamstrung by the policies of the Confed leadership who refuse to call official strike action or fight for the nationalisation of the industry.

Instead they argue for a plan for "viability" • accepting that the preservation of jobs is conditional upon guaranteeing the profits of the Company.

Under the cloak of negotiations with management about "viability" they are preparing the ground for voluntary redundancies and reduction in the workforce.

These negotiations entirely direct away from a fight against management to defend jobs. In opposition to the Confed leaders, the fight must be taken up for i defence of all jobs by work-shar on full pay.

The strike action must extended to other Edgar A Balfour factories outside Sheffi and elected committees must established in each factory to fi for the opening of the books of 1 company to expose the plans management and lay the basis fa fight for the nationalsation of 1 company under workers' mana ment.

No compensation must be p to the owners but instead final injected to expand and modern the plant.

To fight for these policies a to thwart management's attem to move out machinery and ch the plant, the occupation of 1 Capital Tool Works must be fou for.

Scan page 12

SOCIALIST PRESS. Wednesday 1Sth December, 1976 PRESS, Wednesday 15th December,